ces, equipment, and pricing. The penalty for violation is service discon- nection and/ or removal of equipment. Tariff filings do not have the force of law. If you or the carrier violates them, then the penalty is service disconnection and/or removal of equipment. Regulatory bodies accept tariff filings, but do not approve, disapprove, validate, or invalidate stated or implied performance, or enforce or police use of the filing. Attaining capability to order equipment or services delivered by whatever formal agreement, even if it is chosen to order according to a tariff filing, is but a single step in an overall process. Almost any size organization, even if it is a single owner proprietorship, never buys on impulse. This implies some form of practical, prudent due diligence. Conducting due diligence is a key, early step in an overall project. Usually any sizable project will require more than one sup- plier for equipment, and may well require at least two, and likely three suppliers of facilities and services. Figure 8-1 portrays that process from a point labeled "Bright Idea" through completion of an agreement. Any real project has a large amount of tasks. And some or many of those tasks can be done in parallel, given the resources. However, there's no getting away from the fact that some tasks can't even be attempted until others are complete. Some can be skipped, or delayed, but the conse- quences can invite career destruction or worse in the long run. Com- mitting to purchase a piece of equipment without knowing it will function or perform as required, but meets the budget is unwise. Sooner or later, someone in an entity will have to commit to pay PRACTICAL IP AND TELECOM FOR BROADCAST ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS Project Process Budget Project Detail Approval Build Quick Design Estimate Equipment & Supplier Bright Services Evaluation Evaluation Progress Line (Sign Here, Press Hard) FIGURE 8-1 Project Risk-Reward-Approval Process before a supplier will agree to ship a piece of equipment, or connect a facility.