Rainbow Testing

…Greater is the art of ending

As pointed out by Lazarus Long, it is ending that requires a certain skill. There are miles of words written about getting positions but few written about the successful leaving.

Why end well?

Other than the simple exchange of work for money are three main benefits of your work contract. These are:

            The accomplishment of your client’s goals
            Work experience
            Professional contacts

Ending well ensures that these valuables are preserved.

So, whether you expected it or not, you’ve been informed that your contract is at an end or that it will not be extended. Good. You know where you stand.

Pull up the initial Statement of Work, or the earliest communications about this position. This might be the first email your recruiter sent you with the details of the position. Pull out the meat of it, make a separate list if you have to. Can you tick off what was actually accomplished?

Make a similar review of any outstanding task list. How have you been tracking the work? A project tracking program? A weekly status report? Email? Sticky notes? It’s time to round up the details.

Circle the loose ends. Did your client change their mind? Was there an external change that pulled certain items off of the list? Would you and your client have the same point of view on this?

Look at the real loose ends, the items that you were set out to accomplish but were not completed. Can any of these get done? What can you do to support you client in having them finished after you leave? Do you need to leave documentation? Do you need to set up a meeting with someone who will be picking up the task when you are gone?

Now sit down with your client contact. Do this as soon as you can. Review what you know, briefly. Make sure that you and your client are on the same page where your last billable hours are concerned. Most clients will have some clear ideas about what you should be doing with them, but there may be details that they have overlooked or valuable suggestions you can make to help them make the most of your work after you have gone.

Naturally you will complete your work and report on your status.

But you have the opportunity for a little something more.

Put together a single page summary of your contract accomplishments, one that is paired with the Statement of Work if possible. This will provide your client with valuable information of what they have gained through the contract.

It also provides you with a valuable list of your own experience. Keep a copy and on your copy remember to note the systems and applications that were involved. Make sure these match your updated resume.

You have probably been gathering contact information all along. If not, now is the time to ask your work contacts if they can be your professional contacts. Make sure that they have a business card, a v-card or are willing to be your professional contact on a business networking site like LinkedIn. Even if they do not wish to be a professional contact for you, make sure that you have the right people listed privately so that you can remember their names and send thank-you notes.

Yes, thank-you notes.

You’ve been reminded to send them to interviewers and prospective clients, they are equally important in the art of ending. Take the time to send them out the week after you leave.

And now you will have wrapped up the valuables of your time there. You have a solid relationship with your past client. You have a list of your recent accomplishments. You have a precious handful of professional contacts.