Ever been on a contract where...

[MarillionFan]

See your point but ....

Not all contractors are like that. If you hired cheaply they may just be code monkeys. What did you do at interview stage to ascertain their ability to step up?

They were cheap.

[bobspud]

Sounds like my last gig. The asked me to put a set of designs together for an entire infrastructure and then sat there moaning about how much it would all cost Then after a few months, they said we are not sure we want to do anything as big as this, so we will get back to you in a few months. Then they asked me to sit there and bill them while they thought about it. After 3 more months they said erm... we are not going to do any of the stuff we asked you to do at first. So we will renew you for another 6 months while we think about it if thats ok?

Having had many coffees with PMs and BA's that had been there for two years or more and never actually had a project that they delivered, I politely declined. Easy money is one thing but it's more important that you keep your skills fresh and yourself used to delivering projects in commercial time frames.

[billybiro]

Why not man up a bit and work out what you're supposed to be doing.

I've hired a few people recently. Given them the overview. Given them the documentation and asked them to read it, understand it and deliver test plans , documentation.

Then the questions. What documentation, what use cases, what process, what standards?!!!

FFS! They're contractors. If I have to spell it out I may as well hire Bobs!

God I wish people would step up.

Why not man up a bit and articulate what you require?

Ah, I know your sort..

You hire a painter then say, "Go and paint that wall". When the painter asks "What colour?", you reply that you don't have time to hold his bloody hand and he better well get on with it quick smart.

You come back a day later only to say, "I didn't want the bloody wall painting red, I wanted it painting blue! you idiot". Of course, the painter rightly tells you to shove it and that what you really needed to hire was not a painter but a bloody mind-reader!

[darmstadt]

Why not man up a bit and articulate what you require?

Ah, I know your sort..

You hire a painter then say, "Go and paint that wall". When the painter asks "What colour?", you reply that you don't have time to hold his bloody hand and he better well get on with it quick smart.

You come back a day later only to say, "I didn't want the bloody wall painting red, I wanted it painting blue! you idiot". Of course, the painter rightly tells you to shove it and that what you really needed to hire was not a painter but a bloody mind-reader!

I did a contract very similar to that (government naturally.)

"Right we need a cluster of 3 servers."
"Okay, vertical or horizontal? Static or dynamic?"
"Whatever..."
...2 days later...
"Thats not what we wanted plus the naming is all wrong."
"Well **** you too, maybe you should actually clarify what you want first then, pillock. I'm going home."

[original PM]

Why not man up a bit and work out what you're supposed to be doing.

I've hired a few people recently. Given them the overview. Given them the documentation and asked them to read it, understand it and deliver test plans , documentation.

Then the questions. What documentation, what use cases, what process, what standards?!!!

FFS! They're contractors. If I have to spell it out I may as well hire Bobs!

God I wish people would step up.

I feel your pain - god forbid anyone should show a bit of initiative.....

[suityou01]

I feel your pain - god forbid anyone should show a bit of initiative.....

Have to agree with Original PITA here.

What I have learned is :

1) Find out what they want.
2) If they don't know what they want, suggest options.
3) If they really can't choose an option, start taking options away one by one based on criteria - timeboxing, cost etc.
4) The decision is made what they want, by a process of elimination.
5) Document this to the hilt.
6) Keep a full audit trail of all meetings, emails, minutes, decisions etc.
7) Deliver on time.
8) If they complain produce 6) and ask them how they would like you to change it.
9) Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep invoicing

[cojak]

Ever been on a contract where...

I love those kind of contracts - I just make it up as I go along.

[escapeUK]

Why not man up a bit and work out what you're supposed to be doing.

I've hired a few people recently. Given them the overview. Given them the documentation and asked them to read it, understand it and deliver test plans , documentation.

Then the questions. What documentation, what use cases, what process, what standards?!!!

FFS! They're contractors. If I have to spell it out I may as well hire Bobs!

God I wish people would step up.

Sounds like you have become the sort of manager who doesnt want something specific produced, just wants something produced.

Then of course when its not right its not your fault. Ringing any bells?

[ShandyDrinker]

Why not man up a bit and articulate what you require?

Ah, I know your sort..

You hire a painter then say, "Go and paint that wall". When the painter asks "What colour?", you reply that you don't have time to hold his bloody hand and he better well get on with it quick smart.

You come back a day later only to say, "I didn't want the bloody wall painting red, I wanted it painting blue! you idiot". Of course, the painter rightly tells you to shove it and that what you really needed to hire was not a painter but a bloody mind-reader!

Excellent response!

Have to agree with Original PITA here.

What I have learned is :

1) Find out what they want.
2) If they don't know what they want, suggest options.
3) If they really can't choose an option, start taking options away one by one based on criteria - timeboxing, cost etc.
4) The decision is made what they want, by a process of elimination.
5) Document this to the hilt.
6) Keep a full audit trail of all meetings, emails, minutes, decisions etc.
7) Deliver on time.
8) If they complain produce 6) and ask them how they would like you to change it.
9) Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep invoicing

I've taken this approach quite a number of times... only to still be told once a solution is delivered that it was not what they were intending. The one thing a lot of clients cannot stand is a smart arse contractor who has something in writing that shows you have delivered what they asked for!!!

[minestrone]

I just turn up and do whatever insanity they ask me to do.