A necessary tool for specifying the characteristics of a project, a contract is a written document that defines in great detail what the project is ultimately supposed to be about. A contract may include price, performance, and any other objectives deemed important by the two parties between whom a transaction is taking place.
A technical specification on the other hand, is discussion of a particular point or issue that includes information to guide the team on how something is done and accomplished, a blueprint if you will.
While contracts and technical specifications are important and essential, they are rarely comprehensible. Innocuous at best, and a downright horrifying labyrinth of jargon at worse, contracts and technical specifications are paragraph upon paragraph of legal mumbo jumbo. They can be incomplete, unclear and sometimes even completely contradictory. Well written or not, it is imperative to glean the necessary information that ensures both parties are in clear agreement.
Here are a few tips on how to read and decipher your project contracts and technical specifications so as to not miss any piece of vital information.
1. Agree on the Terms Before the Contract Is Drawn
Keeping in mind that all individual projects are different, and have different requirements and technicalities involved, it is necessary to determine just how important this particular project is to you. Agree on and clearly outline the terms of the agreement that you are about to commit to. Precisely define what each term indicates and then have the contract drawn up.
2. Read Thoroughly
Once the contract is drawn up, do not be hasty in signing on the dotted line. Remember the contract is legally binding. Request time to review the paperwork without distractions and interruptions. Read the contract cover to cover.
A technical specification on the other hand, is discussion of a particular point or issue that includes information to guide the team on how something is done and accomplished, a blueprint if you will.
While contracts and technical specifications are important and essential, they are rarely comprehensible. Innocuous at best, and a downright horrifying labyrinth of jargon at worse, contracts and technical specifications are paragraph upon paragraph of legal mumbo jumbo. They can be incomplete, unclear and sometimes even completely contradictory. Well written or not, it is imperative to glean the necessary information that ensures both parties are in clear agreement.
Here are a few tips on how to read and decipher your project contracts and technical specifications so as to not miss any piece of vital information.
1. Agree on the Terms Before the Contract Is Drawn
Keeping in mind that all individual projects are different, and have different requirements and technicalities involved, it is necessary to determine just how important this particular project is to you. Agree on and clearly outline the terms of the agreement that you are about to commit to. Precisely define what each term indicates and then have the contract drawn up.
2. Read Thoroughly
Once the contract is drawn up, do not be hasty in signing on the dotted line. Remember the contract is legally binding. Request time to review the paperwork without distractions and interruptions. Read the contract cover to cover.


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Faizan
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