Subcontract. Manage. Mediate.

September 3, 2006 11:11 AM

So, Organization A has hired Organization B to implement a program. Organization A has reason to believe that Organization B is not implementing that program effectively/ethically, but the implementation is already in progress. So, let's say Organization A was compelled to turn to Third Party (C) to participate in the process of implementing the program -- as an observer, mediator, what have you.

Actually, 'what have you' is the first part of the question -- what would such a Third Party C be called? C would oversee, mediate, and potentially arbitrate issues that arise between working staff and management. Is there corporatese/legalese for this sort of thing?

The second part of the question is: help me find effective models thereof.

posted by greggish to law & government (6 answers total)

I suppose 'consultant' is too broad? Perhaps 'due dilligence auditor'?
posted by bhance at 11:28 AM on September 3, 2006

Organization A should have looked into the credentials of Organization B before hiring. Talking to previous clients could have saved organization A the head ache.

At the same time [i]A[/i] may have no idea how many man hours the project they are wanting put together takes. If that is the case they should contact [i]C[/i] to get an idea if [i]B[/i] is doing their job efficiently.

If I were [i]A[/i] I would setup a meeting with [i]B[/i] immediately to discuss their progress and start setting some deadlines. If I wasn't pleased at all, I would set a rather immediate deadline and then pay-for what I get. Then hire another firm to take over what [i]B[/i] gave to me (if it is at all feasible to not start from scratch).

I would also make it known publicly your disappointment with organization B.

Be aware that you may just be unaware how long things can take. I work with clients all the time who want their product or reports in an unreasonable amount of time and under an unreasonable amount of man hours.

Meeting and setting deadlines at a beginning of a project helps out a lot. I hate working on projects with no deadlines because things never get done in a reasonable amount of time and project w/ deadlines always take priority. I always take the amount of time that I think it will take to get done and multiply that time by two when I'm quoting a client. That usually works pretty well.
posted by nickerbocker at 11:35 AM on September 3, 2006

Woops.. forgot we use HTML here. Been on other boards lately, sorry for the bad mark-up. Should have previewed my post.
posted by nickerbocker at 11:36 AM on September 3, 2006

To be more specific: Organization A needs to be convinced that such a path is a viable solution. Also, the program is such that it will be "accomplished" whether or not it's done well.

The question is, what kind of 3rd party could be used to ensure that the program is done well? What would C be called? What are some examples of this sort of situation?
posted by greggish at 11:53 AM on September 3, 2006

Off askme, someone tells me: a "monitor." OK, so -- then the second part of the question still stands: where can I find examples of successful 3rd party management monitor models? Something to give ideas about how Organization A could install Third Party Monitor C into Organization B's program in the most effective and quickest way possible?
posted by greggish at 12:00 PM on September 3, 2006

They do this in construction sometimes, to compensate for accepting a risky low bid. For instance.
posted by smackfu at 12:40 PM on September 3, 2006