High-priority tasks, issues, and decisions must reach resolution by their assigned target dates, or they must automatically escalate to <<name>>, the next higher level of management, for arbitration. This is especially necessary when negotiable or debatable viewpoints are involved that can delay timely resolution. As a normal practice, all items marked as RED in the Issues/Risk Log are subject to this policy.

Such escalations will be documented at least via e-mail to all involved/affected parties. Such escalation will continue up the management hierarchy until a final decision is reached. Accordingly, each member of the executive team must be made aware of his or her potential role in this process.

This no-fault Escalation Policy is included as Attachment F to the project Statement of Work. It is ultimately the responsibility of <<name>>, the project manager, to ensure that it is followed.