How to Avoid Becoming the Urban Legend of Variations

There was an urban legend at a very large, very unnamed, global mining company I once worked at, and it was around contract variations and scope creep and a lesson we could all afford to remember - whether the story is true or not!

We all know once you're on site, working with the client that changes happen on the fly and requests for things not included in the contract are inevitable...well as the story goes the client (mining operator) requested the delivery of a tyre. Now not just a tyre for a people mover but a tyre the size of a people mover...the contractor was able to provide this and began making arrangements accordingly.

However, the employee who requested it didn't follow up with any process or formalisation of this request, and it was not in the scope for the contractor at that time. The client decided to use this as a teaching moment...the contractor was informed by the client that they had not in fact requested this, there was no documentation etc - the request was from the employee himself and to please deliver it to his driveway he would be liable for it!

As the story goes once it was delivered and the point was made the client took ownership of it and updated contracts accordingly, ensuring the contractor was paid. (And a few good laughs were had!) Whether it's true or not the story I believe still makes the rounds and is a good reminder that if there's no contract or variation - there is certainly a lot or risk and potential for problems down the track...Get your variations process and people in order!