You're just a day rate

[OwlHoot]

... That is to say I can use certain markers such as ... "The supplier called to chase payment". ...

If there many of those particular markers, I'd invoice weekly. You're a "supplier" remember.

[suityou01]

I am impressed with the new levels of fecklessness achieved today.

I need a file. I have been requesting this file since the start of December. Today the file has arrived.

Email 1 > Suity : It's on the M Drive
Suity > Email 1 : I don't have an M Drive, can you supply a full UNC path?
Email 1 > Suity : Partial UNC path minus filename is .....
Suity > Email 1 : I cannot access this path as I don't have permission.
Helpful colleague > Email 1 : Tell me where it is and I'll move it to the global share
Email 1 > Helpful colleague : It's on the M Drive.
Helpful colleague > Email 1 : Yes, where?

Frantic phone call ensues.

Helpful colleague > Suity (Verbal) It's on the global share now.

[_V_]

I am impressed with the new levels of fecklessness achieved today.

I need a file. I have been requesting this file since the start of December. Today the file has arrived.

Email 1 > Suity : It's on the M Drive
Suity > Email 1 : I don't have an M Drive, can you supply a full UNC path?
Email 1 > Suity : Partial UNC path minus filename is .....
Suity > Email 1 : I cannot access this path as I don't have permission.
Helpful colleague > Email 1 : Tell me where it is and I'll move it to the global share
Email 1 > Helpful colleague : It's on the M Drive.
Helpful colleague > Email 1 : Yes, where?

Frantic phone call ensues.

Helpful colleague > Suity (Verbal) It's on the global share now.

Sounds like normal day to day stuff. Is this sort of thing new to you? Have you considered the fact that if the perfect client existed, one that planned properly, implemented perfectly and delivered faultlessly, they would not require external (contractor) assistance...

I think you need to sit down and think about what your role is. It is to smooth delivery, solve problems, implement solutions and make the client happy. Not the other way round.

[suityou01]

Sounds like normal day to day stuff. Is this sort of thing new to you? Have you considered the fact that if the perfect client existed, one that planned properly, implemented perfectly and delivered faultlessly, they would not require external (contractor) assistance...

I think you need to sit down and think about what your role is. It is to smooth delivery, solve problems, implement solutions and make the client happy. Not the other way round.

Some more context. Email 1 was from the PM. I have 14.71 weeks remaining to deliver this migration. There is zero chance of extension as after that date the source systems are turned off, and the disruption to BAU will render the project a failure. I should imagine at this point heads will roll.

I want to deliver a smooth delivery, solve their problems and implement solutions to make the client happy in this time frame. A crisp clean passing game is needed, so when folks that should know better send sloppy emails that waste all of our time, for things that were requested over 2 months ago, I do despair.

Sorry, how should I reconsider my role again?

[_V_]

Some more context. Email 1 was from the PM. I have 14.71 weeks remaining to deliver this migration. There is zero chance of extension as after that date the source systems are turned off, and the disruption to BAU will render the project a failure. I should imagine at this point heads will roll.

I want to deliver a smooth delivery, solve their problems and implement solutions to make the client happy in this time frame. A crisp clean passing game is needed, so when folks that should know better send sloppy emails that waste all of our time, for things that were requested over 2 months ago, I do despair.

Sorry, how should I reconsider my role again?

You sound like an flappy email ping ponger. Pick up a phone as soon as the first problem is hit. If everyone did this rather than 2 day long email chains, you'd deliver in time, rate increase, renewal.

I give you two weeks, carry on and you'll be on the bench.

[suityou01]

You sound like an flappy email ping ponger. Pick up a phone as soon as the first problem is hit. If everyone did this rather than 2 day long email chains, you'd deliver in time, rate increase, renewal.

I give you two weeks, carry on and you'll be on the bench.

I cannot violate the terms of my only New Years resolution (Don't get into a battle of wits with an unarmed Socky).

[_V_]

I cannot violate the terms of my only New Years resolution (Don't get into a battle of wits with an unarmed Socky).

If you want one worthwhile New Years resolution it is to change your ways by picking up a phone as soon as there's a problem or misunderstanding.

Amazing what this one trait can achieve.

"Just got your email, I though rather than writing a long reply, I'd give you a quick call....a couple of things....firstly I don't have access to the file share, who do I need to speak to......can I pop over to your desk and we can copy it somewhere I have access to?"

Sorted in 5 mins, project progress back on track, no need to post pointless crap on CUK.

Try it, become Suity MKII and see how it feels.

[original PM]

You sound like an flappy email ping ponger. Pick up a phone as soon as the first problem is hit. If everyone did this rather than 2 day long email chains, you'd deliver in time, rate increase, renewal.

I give you two weeks, carry on and you'll be on the bench.

I half agree with you.

But the other half says that most the time the client co will have so much bureaucracy surrounding things like this which have been built up by pointless empire building middle management tw@ts that the e-mail chain is just used when the tulip hits the fan...

Client - oPM why have you not done x yet?
oPM - access to systems was requested via correct channel 4 weeks ago but has yet to be delivered
Client - well have you chased it
oPM - yes email trail below

I hate doing it but trying to circumvent systems and processes people have put in and which have been signed off by execs and the board is a bad idea imho

[alreadypacked]

I do some to get more than my fair share of crap gigs. The people on this one a nice though, and it's in the UK.

It's not you, it's contracting.

New project is coming up, internal staff know it's going to be a crap project and make sure they have something else to do. Only option is to hire contractors.

Been on some myself, company sold Unix application to windows company.
Project: Integrate application into clients environment ( approx 6-8 weeks).
PM: I prefer Borland, so get set-up on your machine.
Me: The application is written for Unix.
PM: Ok just re-write it then.
Me: We only have 6 weeks.
PM: You better get started.

[suityou01]

If you want one worthwhile New Years resolution it is to change your ways by picking up a phone as soon as there's a problem or misunderstanding.

Amazing what this one trait can achieve.

"Just got your email, I though rather than writing a long reply, I'd give you a quick call....a couple of things....firstly I don't have access to the file share, who do I need to speak to......can I pop over to your desk and we can copy it somewhere I have access to?"

Sorted in 5 mins, project progress back on track, no need to post pointless crap on CUK.

Try it, become Suity MKII and see how it feels.

I am the first one out of my seat or on the phone! Don't get me wrong.

The permies here work from home a lot, and don't hand out their numbers. They are smart.