KeepSubcontractorsAtArmsLength
From SPA Wiki
Name
- Keep subcontractor at arms length (Anti-Pattern).
Context
- We have decided to outsource some of the work.
- The subcontractor and client may be in one time zone while we are in another.
Problem
- How do we retain control over the project and ownership of the client?
Forces
- We don’t fully trust the subcontractor (they may be a former competitor).
- The subcontractor may look more attractive to the client than we do.
- We wrote the proposal to incorporate key technologies so we need to make sure the contractor uses them.
- We have not worked for this client before and we want to win more work in the future.
Solution
- Establish procedures for formal communication and insist on following the legal terms of the contact.
- Insist on delivery to agreed timetable.
Resulting Context
- Quality of deliverable doesn’t meet client expectations.
- Communications breakdown.
Related Patterns