by Jeffrey Cavignac, CPCU, ARM, RPLU, CRIS, MLIS – President, Cavignac & Associates
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Communication, or lack of it, is the main reason design professionals get sued. After all, the only time we litigate a matter is when we stop talking to the other party, and pay someone else to talk for us (lawyers). Does everyone in your company have a clear understanding of the level of communication required of them? Our company, Cavignac & Associates, has developed a Communications Protocol. It outlines, at a minimum, what is expected of all staff when it comes to communications and documentation. Although it runs to seven pages, there are three basic rules:
Even the best firms get sued; you can do everything right and still be in the line of fire. There is no question however, that firms that communicate at a higher level have fewer problems, and firms that document better are in a much better position if they are sued. |