Return to the bad old days.

[hurting-back]

I like the idea of 'exemplary' standards rather than minimum; what may not be 'necessary' to achieve the minimum required by a brief may actually be very useful in determining development impacts more accurately and in fine tuning research objectives to avoid surprises in post excavation costs, for instance. Recently I have had some success in convincing clients to invest a bit more (for a stated objective) to allow them a clearer picture and better planning. Often the archaeological cost risk to the client isn't in the actual cost of a unit undertaking an evaluation or excavation, but in the unexpected delays they can cause - I have seen pipepine jobs where the cost of having the archaeological team out for one entire day equates to the cost to the client of having their team held up for a few hours! I think formalising the approach you suggest, even alittle bit, would have benefits for clients, contractors and for the quality of work.

don't panic!