When you see a big difference between how a contract is performing and how it should, what is the most important thing this tells you to do next?

When a significant difference, known as a deviation or variance, is observed between the actual execution of a contract's terms (how it is performing) and its predefined requirements (how it should perform), the most important immediate action is to thoroughly identify and understand the root cause of that deviation. Contract performance refers to the actual progress, deliverables, and adherence to quality, schedule, and budget as specified in the legally binding agreement. How it should perform relates to these same predefined standards and obligations. A deviation signifies a measurable gap between the two. Identifying the root cause involves a systematic investigation to determine the fundamental underlying reason for the discrepancy, rather than just observing its symptoms. For example, if a software development contract is consistently missing milestone deadlines, a deviation is present. Simply pushing for faster coding addresses the symptom. A root cause analysis might reveal inadequate initial requirements gathering, a lack of necessary technical expertise within the team, or unforeseen integration challenges with existing systems. Understanding the root cause is essential because it provides the factual basis for developing effective and targeted corrective actions. "Corrective action" refers to the steps taken to eliminate the identified root cause and prevent the recurrence of the deviation, thereby guiding the contract back towards its intended performance path or informing necessary adjustments to the contract itself. Without accurately identifying the root cause, attempts to resolve the performance gap are likely to be inefficient, temporary, or create new issues, failing to effectively manage the contract.