Template

Fair Deal Memo

A short document to make expectations explicit—before work begins.

This memo is grounded in the idea that many downstream conflicts originate in how agreements begin.

The Fair Deal Memo is a lightweight way to apply the Fair Deal Policy (FDP) in real collaborations. It is not a contract. It does not replace legal agreements. It exists to create clarity early.

When to use a Fair Deal Memo

• Starting a new collaboration
• Working with a new partner or client
• Entering a short project or gig
• Forming a consortium or partnership
• When expectations or power dynamics are unclear
• When purpose integrity matters

Copy-paste template

FAIR DEAL MEMO

Collaboration Title:
Parties Involved:
Date:

1) Intent & Purpose
- Why are we collaborating? What value is this meant to create?

2) Scope of Work
- What is included—and what is not?

3) Roles & Responsibilities
- Who is responsible for what?
- Who has decision authority?

4) Reciprocity & Value Exchange
- How is value exchanged fairly (compensation, benefits, learning, visibility, access)?

5) Transparency & Communication
- What information is shared?
- What is the update cadence?

6) Proportionality & Risk
- How are influence, reward, and risk distributed?
- What asymmetries exist and how are they handled?

7) Purpose Integrity
- What must not be compromised?
- What are the non-negotiables?

8) Evidence & Progress
- What counts as progress?
- What evidence will be produced (deliverables, milestones, signals)?

9) Exit & Adaptation
- How can the collaboration end or change fairly?
- Notice period, handover expectations, non-punitive exit

10) Dispute Handling
- How will disagreements be addressed?
- Direct discussion → mediation steps → escalation boundaries

11) FDP Reference
This collaboration aligns with the Fair Deal Policy (FDP): reciprocity, transparency, proportionality, purpose integrity, human dignity, and fair exit.
(FDP complements legal agreements; it does not replace them.)

Acknowledged by (names/roles):

Notes

Use with LinkedIn and proposals

Share this page link when proposing collaboration. It normalizes clarity without escalation: “Before we proceed, I suggest we align using a short Fair Deal Memo.”

Before we proceed, I suggest we align using a short Fair Deal Memo (FDP) to make expectations explicit before execution.