In any assignment to outside counsel, problems and challenges may arise. The important thing is that those issues are spotted by your outside counsel and brought to your attention quickly along with possible solutions. But so often, the source of dissatisfaction is that they either that didn't spot it or they failed to alert you in a timely, direct fashion. Much of this fiction can be avoided by how firms manage their assignments, in terms of fully understanding the assignment, planning the best path at the get-go, and then monitoring their work. Effective and methodical planning, followed by vigilant operation are the keys to successful service delivery. Passive or reactive monitoring won't cut it. Firms need a structured system of monitoring the project plan, gauging progress, spotting problems, finding workarounds and then ensuring they are effective. These twin ideals, planning and monitoring, will be huge assets to your relationship with your outside counsel because they will directly affect your firm's ability consistently to deliver you good outcomes and peace of mind.