What is a contract? An explicit agreement of what the consulting team and client expect from each other and how they are going to work together. It is designed not so much for enforcement, but for clear communication about what is going to happen on the project.

Elements of the contract: Clear articulation of the business problem. Objectives of the assignment (what the team will accomplish). Methodology (how the team will accomplish the objective with validity) Expectations between client and consulting team.

Elements of the contract continued… Timeline of deadlines Non-legally binding language Options for Reflection Paper #2 (team must interact with clientele of non-profit organization or attend board meeting,etc) Identity of team and client

Contract format An opening: indicates to the reader the reason for the communication Background of business problem: communicates you are sufficiently familiar with the facts Objective of the assignment: the end result

Contract format Methodology: outline (preferably in chronological order) each major task you will perform. Timeline Confidentiality statement (if appropriate) Closing (summary statement, directions) Signature block: all parties must sign

Advice on contracts… Take your time to work through all of the details of objective, methodology and timeline. Review evaluation criteria on Bb. Reach consensus as a team. Be realistic, but thorough: this is a capstone course! Be open to feedback on Sept. 27th

Finally, the contract should…. Look professional Be written on team letterhead Be free of grammar or spelling errors Be articulated with such clarity that a third party could read it and understand all expectations and details of the project.

Contract Examples