4.1 Good communication is essential to effective contract management. Partnerships UK's review of operational projects found a positive correlation between regular communication and satisfaction with the project11 . The contract may set out the type of meeting that needs to be held and the frequency of structured communication between parties. Where it does not, these will need to be agreed with the Contractor. During the co nstruction phase, there should be regular project meetings to make sure that the construction programme is on track to deal with design and development issues and requests by either party for variations.
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11 Report on Operational PFI Projects, Partnerships UK, March 2006.