Project is a poisoned chalice - when to walk away?

[original PM]

Sadly the problems began when someone though they could save money going down the outsource route.

Unless requirements are fully laid out and explicit every single external supplier I have worked with will take everything to the letter of the requirements even if they know that is not the spirit of the requirement - why would they do anything else they are in it to make as much money as possible and they can make a fortune from rework where the requirements are even slightly ambiguous.

As others have said as the supplier selection was no doubt made at an exec level based purely on price then shouting about it too much will get you canned, smile keep invoicing and take what you can.

[Freaki Li Cuatre]

Sadly the problems began when someone though they could save money going down the outsource route.

Unless requirements are fully laid out and explicit every single external supplier I have worked with will take everything to the letter of the requirements even if they know that is not the spirit of the requirement - why would they do anything else they are in it to make as much money as possible and they can make a fortune from rework where the requirements are even slightly ambiguous.

As others have said as the supplier selection was no doubt made at an exec level based purely on price then shouting about it too much will get you canned, smile keep invoicing and take what you can.

Project wasn't outsourced.

These boys were operating through their own Ltds

[SueEllen]

Project wasn't outsourced.

These boys were operating through their own Ltds

There is one of you and more of them. Plus they have been working there longer.

I would find a new contract and walk leaving them in the tulip.

[FatLazyContractor]

Project wasn't outsourced.

These boys were operating through their own Ltds

Where's the Indian connection then? Bobs who "settled" and set up their Ltd Cos?

[original PM]

Project wasn't outsourced.

These boys were operating through their own Ltds

Well it is still outsourced in that those people who do the work are solely interested in making as much money as possible out of the project and not in making the project successful (to an extent where they cannot be clearly blamed).

As opposed to using internal dev resources who are paid and judged on their ability to deliver.

[Freaki Li Cuatre]

There is one of you and more of them. Plus they have been working there longer.

I would find a new contract and walk leaving them in the tulip.

I've already sent the email so my head is over the parapet now.

The contractor devs in question were fired. People further up the chain are under the impression that the new guys have rewritten everything but the reality is that they've been reusing a lot of the old cr@p.

Any further development on any new functionality built on such a flakey foundation is doomed to failure. This will involve me working late nights, weekends etc before I am sent packing.

I'd rather preempt all this right now. I'd walk - but its getting to that time of year & I've already had the summer off

Where's the Indian connection then? Bobs who "settled" and set up their Ltd Cos?

Got it in one!

[Mincepie]

My mantra is keep smiling keep invoicing. Oh and i don't do weekends or lates is another one

[jmo21]

My mantra is keep smiling keep invoicing. Oh and i don't do weekends or lates is another one

This.

Although if they were really pushing weekends and evenings, I would be likely to consider my position.

[Mincepie]

Everything is negotiable but if they want me working when i should be drinking stella its going to cost them loads!!!!

[GlenW]

My mantra is keep smiling keep invoicing. Oh and i don't do weekends or lates is another one

I'll do weekends or lates, it'll cost a lot more, but I'll do them.