A Project Planner's Checklist: What to Look for in a Project Contract!
A Project Planner's Checklist: What to Look for in a Project Contract!
Project contracts are essential documents that outline the terms and conditions of a project. As a project planner, it is important to extract and consider key information from the contract in order to effectively plan and manage the project. Here are some of the most important pieces of information that you should look for:
Scope of Work: The scope of work is one of the most important parts of the project contract. It outlines the specific tasks and deliverables that need to be completed, as well as the deadlines for each. This information is critical for project planning, as it helps you to create a detailed project plan that outlines the steps required to complete the project on time and within budget.
Budget: The project contract should also include the project budget. This is essential information for the project planner, as it helps you to determine the resources that you have available to complete the project. You should pay close attention to any specific budget constraints or requirements that are outlined in the contract, as these will affect the resources that you can allocate to different parts of the project.
Schedule: The project schedule is another key piece of information that you should extract from the project contract. This schedule should include important milestones and deadlines, and will help you to create your own project schedule. It is important to monitor progress against the project schedule throughout the project, in order to ensure that the project stays on track.
Roles, Responsibilities and Commitments: The project contract should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the project, including the client, the contractor, and any subcontractors or vendors. As the project planner, you will need to understand these roles and responsibilities in order to effectively manage the project team.
Change Management: The project contract should include provisions for managing any changes to the project scope, budget, or schedule. As the project planner, you will need to be familiar with these provisions in order to manage any changes that may arise during the course of the project.
Legal Provisions: Finally, the project contract may include important legal provisions, such as indemnification clauses, limitations of liability, and dispute resolution procedures. It is important to be aware of these provisions in order to ensure that the project is completed in compliance with all legal requirements.
As a project planner, reviewing and thoroughly considering all the key information included in a project contract is critical. Not only does this enable you to develop a schedule that aligns with the contract's requirements, but it also provides insight into all the contractual commitments. As a project planner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the schedule and progress monitoring tools are developed in a way that maximizes control over these key commitments. This approach will help you to ensure that your project team fulfills the contract's needs while documenting all events accurately to support your position in case of any disputes. By having a clear understanding of the project contract, you can proactively manage the project to ensure its success, while minimizing any potential risks.