Imagine someone reviewing all of your RFIs on a project and categorizing them:
- Were the answers already in the contract documents that could be found with a little research? 1 or 2 of these is OK but if it is a pattern they will demonstrate a lack of competence on your part - or laziness.
- Did you ask any questions more than one time? Again, a couple on a large project is one thing but if there is a pattern of asking similar questions multiple times it will demonstrate a lack of coordination across the project team.
- How many of the RFIs were asked late to the point where they caused additional delays to the project? Could they have been identified then asked earlier? If this is a pattern that questions only get asked when the work is stopped then it goes against your competency to build and manage.
Asking “Good Questions” is one of the most important things you can do in project management and for life in general.
How effective are the RFIs that you and your team write?
How about other questions beyond RFIs both internal and external?
Are they worded to add value to or detract from the customer experience?
