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One agency let a consultancy with very short timeframes. Material was to be prepared in stages for a manual, prior to printing
and presentation of a training course. Asked by the consultant to
‘sign off
' on the chapters of the manual as they were completed, the agency’s contact officer did so, but subsequently requested substantial
revisions after the manual had been sent to the printer. Because of the short timeframes involved, course participants did
not gain access to the manual. The agency’s own required training outcome was thus compromised, and the consultant was made
to look less than competent. Apart from the contract management aspects of this case, it is important to recognise that ‘sign
off’ to a consultant means final acceptance of the product in satisfaction of the contract.
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Sometimes, consultants request a
‘sign-off’ meeting
. Their expectation is that, unless any major issues are raised, the meeting itself constitutes sign-off by the client.
Make it clear that you reserve your position until all documentation, including any reports, have been properly considered
and finalised.