What can help resolve issues with a vendor that failed to fulfill contractual obligations?

Enforcing vendor rules of engagement is a proactive approach to addressing issues when a vendor fails to meet their contractual obligations. These rules often outline the expected behaviors, communication protocols, and responsibilities of both the vendor and the project team. By referring to and enforcing these established guidelines, a project manager can hold the vendor accountable and encourage compliance with the agreed-upon terms, leading to a resolution of any disputes or failures.

Addressing vendor performance through the framework of these rules helps clarify expectations and can facilitate discussions about what needs to change for the contract to be fulfilled. This process ensures that both parties understand their responsibilities, which can mitigate further issues and potentially strengthen the working relationship.

Other strategies, such as risk reporting or status reporting, while useful in different contexts, do not directly engage with the vendor to resolve the fundamental issues at hand. They may provide visibility into the problem but do not establish a framework for active resolution. An avoiding strategy would typically refer to ignoring the problem or delaying action, which is not an effective way to resolve vendor-related issues.