31.1 Structuring and scheduling an assignment

Defining an assignment and its management requirements

The scope of an assignment (or engagement, project or case) is usually defined in the proposal to the client and in the contract (sections 7.4 to 7.6). The definition includes the start and the end of the assignment, the objectives, the proposed approach, the work programme, the consultants involved, the resources required, the degree and form of the client’s involvement, the supervisory responsibility and the price to be paid. Checking the completeness and clarity of assignment definitions is an important precondition of effective assignment management. Even questions such as where the data will be processed and reports produced, or who will take care of the consultant’s transport during the assignment, should be clarified. More important, however, are technical and human issues related to the client’s problem and the approach to be taken by the consultants.