The pattern is consistent: a small frustration on either side, not voiced, that becomes a grievance over a few weeks, that becomes a stand-off when an invoice arrives. Almost every example we’ve seen could have been defused with a 30-minute conversation in the first week.

One of the quieter benefits of having a PM in place is that small frustrations get raised and resolved before they grow. Both sides know they have somewhere to take a concern.

Where a dispute has already escalated, the path back is usually a written summary of where everyone agrees, where they disagree, and what evidence exists. From there, most disputes settle.