As we have explored the project manager role throughout the past several weeks, the profile of a good project manager should be coming into focus. The project manager must be strong at understanding sponsor and other stakeholder needs and expectations. He or she must be able to expertly guide the project team, negotiating and motivating along the way. Relationship-building is critical with stakeholders, project team members, suppliers, and others. There must be a certain attention to detail and perseverance to track and control progress.

Considering this valuable project manager skillset, reflect on how they can apply to this weeks topic of supplier contracts and exercising control in managing them by answering the following prompts.

• If a supplier defaults on a contract you signed with them, what specific skills would you use to address it? What style or approach would be best?
  • For example, would tact, patience and leniency be warranted?
  • Conversely, would a firm, authoritative posture that threatens legal repercussions be the best first move?
  • Those are just examples. Instead of adopting those, use your own. Whatever skills and approach you identify to deal with a supplier violating a contract, explain why. Be specific. Share any competencies you have used as a project manager, or any feedback about your capabilities in these areas that you have personally received from others.