You Need A Solid Defense To CYA – Cover Your Anatomy
CYA – Cover Your Anatomy
It’s critical to always apply a CYA – Cover Your Anatomy strategy. They may be your best friends or closest confidants or business colleagues – But if the sediment hits the fan – The blame games can start – and the chances are that they will be doing everything they can to make sure that it is not them taking the heat.
It is amazing how recollections of verbal conversations or meetings can vary. How the meaning or understanding can change very quickly, if a project or other scenario does not go to plan. Particularly if there are serious ramifications. The blame for poor decisions then needs to be apportioned – generally to other people. Sometimes you can’t cover your anatomy with steel plate – as much as you might like to. But there are other ways to CYA – Cover Your Anatomy
TIPS & TRICKS
Use CYA with – Keep a Paper Trail or an Email Trail
Don’t rely on verbal conversation, instruction or assurance
- Chances are that there may be all sorts of games being played in the background which you are not aware of
- And you want to avoid getting caught up in any internal politics
- Every circumstance is different – work through the “What If” scenarios to CYA
- Make sure that you always apply a CYA strategy – just in case….
- So that there is nothing to come back and bite you at a later date
- Documentation is critical – third parties may have been involved in verbal exchanges but their recollections may not be the same as your recollections and/or they may be seeking their own CYA strategy
- Get it in writing and dated
- If the other person(s) will not agree to put it in writing – You must put it in writing and ask them to sign or initial a dated copy
- If they refuse to sign – note on the document that they were asked and refused
- Each job is different – it doesn’t need to be a legal document – the main thing is that the meaning is clear and unambiguous – see Documentation
- For example – A simple sentence along the lines of ….”John Smith and I verbally agreed to XYZ etc. “ signed and dated by both parties
- If the other party refuses to sign – it may be…
- ”John Smith and I verbally agreed to XYZ etc. – John Smith declined to sign this document” with your name in capital letters plus signature plus date
- Remain civilized and polite if someone refuses to sign – that is their right – However…..
- It is not surprising that many people who initially decline to sign will change their minds when advised that it will be recorded on the document that they declined and will often seek to reword some parts – All Good – if the” meaning” remains
- Remember – This is not a legally binding document – but demonstrates your intent to record the agreement and/or conversation etc
- There is an old saying – “if its not documented – it never happened”
- And most importantly – ensure that you have a good filing system – so that if you ever do need it – you can find it
- It is always good to ask a third person who is completely unfamiliar with the project to read and confirm that the meaning is clear and that there is no ambiguity
We hope that it will never be needed – however Murphy’s Law tells us that if we have it – chances are it will not be needed – However if we don’t have it ……….
Not Only – But Also….
When there is a need to take a deep breath and take a break
- Open List Of Pages – Engineering Nostalgia for pages of Old Engineer Memories from Engineering practice in the 1960’s/70’s/80’s – with a bit of armed forces and medieval trivia thrown in
- Regardless of your current status – always ask the question – Is there a Better Way and
visit the 3R web page for an overview of the 3R Philosophy Review – Refresh – Reset - Whenever possible – always follow the KISS Principle
- Challenge yourself and your colleagues with an Engineering Quiz
- Check out Engineering Odd Bits for odd subject matter – including humor and comment
Engineer & Communicate – Engineering Trivia Quiz – Engineering Nostalgia – Engineering Odd Bits