When drawing up a contract, the immediate needs and wishes of the parties involved are often considered. But it is equally important to look further and think about the actual implementation of the agreement. This is not only a matter of foresight, but also of risk mitigation.

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Service Level Agreements (SLAs), known in agile contexts as eXperience Level Agreements (XLAs), are core components that clearly establish expectations and standards for service delivery. Together with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), they provide a measurable basis for assessing performance. The Agreements and Processes Dossier (DAP) goes one step further, by providing specific guidelines for the working method and handling of escalations, including governance models.

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Too often, however, these tools are overlooked or hastily put together without thorough consideration. This can lead to ambiguity, misunderstandings and conflicts later in the collaboration. At worst, these omissions can result in lengthy legal disputes, unforeseen costs and damaged business relationships.
 

By paying proper attention to the implementation aspects of an agreement from the start, parties can protect themselves from unnecessary complications. It is an investment in clarity, trust and, ultimately, a smooth and successful collaboration.