The no blame and no dispute clauses in many PAAs can be misunderstood and are often not applied in the intended manner. For example:
No blame does not mean no accountability. In alliancing, all Participants should be held accountable for what the team expects and requires of them, and poor performance should be dealt with accordingly by the ALT.
No blame does not mean 'no differences in opinion'. The pursuit of a 'no blame' alliance culture should not materialise as an emphasis on friendly relationships where challenge and debate are suppressed. Friendliness is not a substitute for effectiveness. Indeed, absence of any major disagreements can sometimes signal that the alliance is not on track to achieve VfM. Effective alliance teams are often characterised by a high level of constructive debate, and a preparedness to challenge and be challenged. Debate should not be considered a sign of weakness or failure of the alliance. Generating and resolving these differences positively and expeditiously are a sign of a healthy alliance.