AJ4.1 Obtain the client's requirements, budget and timetable
AJ4.2 Agree fees for professional services
AJ4.3 Establish and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders
This Unit is for archaeologists who deal directly with clients in securing commissions and have discretion to negotiate and agree fee arrangements. It deals with establishing clients requirements and agreeing the basis for a commission to provide professional services covering all types of archaeological commission.
In order to obtain the client's requirements, budget and timetable, you need to establish not only the client's goals, aspirations and practical needs, but also what constraints might apply. You will need to gain sufficient preliminary information about the client, the site and the complexity of the project envisaged to make an initial judgement about whether your own organisation is able to take on the project. And if you do, what sort of project team would need to be assembled; what procurement arrangements would be preferable; and the likely cost and timescale.
In order to advise on the need for and scope of professional services, you will need to understand the limits of your own organisations capability; the range of other specialists who will need to be involved; the types of service they provide and sufficient about their roles, responsibilities and normal fee arrangements to give the client realistic and accurate advice about their appointment. You will need to be able to assess the commercial risks and liabilities involved in taking on the type of project envisaged and be able to weight your fee proposals accordingly. Also, to be able to assess the extent to which the client may involve you in changes and abortive effort! You will also need to understand the processes involved in fee tendering and be able to put together bids which are realistic, but also competitive.
In order to establish and maintain relationships with clients, you will need to build and maintain an atmosphere of trust with clients and their representatives. Your communications with clients must be clear and sensitive to their level of understanding of archaeological processes. You will also need to be able to deal with good news as well as bad in a tactful but honest way.
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Today's date: 31/7/2010
This page last updated:
20/7/2007 10:20
