Vindictive?

[Spacecadet]

One of the managers at the clientco's clientco is a bit of a prick.
Got a conference call later where he'll be insisting on something which I know will be a complete mess and result in a few of his staff hating him and then possibly land him with a nice bill for a CR to fix it.
Should I
a) Gladly give him what he wants
or
b) Patiently explain for the 4th time why it's such a bad idea

[Platypus]

Either he ignored your advice the first 3 times or doesn't get it.

Either way, just give him what he wants now.

Would be great if one of your 3 attempts to explain why this is a bad idea was by email. That way when the recriminations come, you can say you told him so.

[Pondlife]

Both?

[MarillionFan]

One of the managers at the clientco's clientco is a bit of a prick.
Got a conference call later where he'll be insisting on something which I know will be a complete mess and result in a few of his staff hating him and then possibly land him with a nice bill for a CR to fix it.
Should I
a) Gladly give him what he wants
or
b) Patiently explain for the 4th time why it's such a bad idea

Explain B. Do C - risk analysis and publish to all with massive caveat. Then Do A if he doesn't understand C. Invoice and then do D. Do it again properly next year after he's been fired.

[eek]

c) tell him again but at the first argument against give in with the statement if you really insist.

Then ensure you have a document trail that covers your arse.

[Churchill]

One of the managers at the clientco's clientco is a bit of a prick.
Got a conference call later where he'll be insisting on something which I know will be a complete mess and result in a few of his staff hating him and then possibly land him with a nice bill for a CR to fix it.
Should I
a) Gladly give him what he wants
or
b) Patiently explain for the 4th time why it's such a bad idea

or

c) b & Invoice, repeat as necessary.

Churchill - In "Bill and grin boy, bill and grin" mode!

[Svalbaard]

If it is the 4th time that you have explained, then you are in danger of him becoming frustrated by your lack of ability to understand his needs or requirements.

There are times as a contractor when you can influence and help shape deliverables. There are also times when you simply stop banging your head on the wall, put your hands up - and deliver what the client wants.

This sounds like the latter.

[MarillionFan]

Just do a risk document.

This happens to me quite a lot. If I think there is a chance that the end solution won't work for external reasons/not possible/stupid requirements/people not playing ball/poor data etc. I add in a seperate risk analysis and ensure that is reviewed and signed off. There is only so many times you can bang on about it.

Think of it this way. Client wants you to customize his BMW. He wants big fat wheels, pink paint job, massive futuristic spoiler, leopard skin seats and fluffy dice. You tell him it's going to look tulip and women will laugh at him. He gets the customized car, goes out on the town and Mary Poppins stands there pointing and laughing it's your fault unless you show him the design for the car he signed off with the words 'You'll look like a twat and a big arrow pointing to the passenger'

So get it done, understood and signed off. That way if it does come back to bite you, you're covered.

[Spacecadet]

He's had the risks outlined in an email from myself already.

The requirements aren't his, they are someone else's but he's decided to step in and "sort it out".

[MarillionFan]

He's had the risks outlined in an email from myself already.

The requirements aren't his, they are someone else's but he's decided to step in and "sort it out".

Forget email.

Get him to sign off a document with at least another senior signatory to your own.