EFFECTIVE STEERING COMMITTEES ARE ESSENTIAL For example, a co-development plan between Big Pharma and a SME. Each group has equal votes about the partnership. The goal for the small partner must be to minimize surprises. The working committee must anticipate future outcomes and reveal how they would be dealt with by their organizations. If Big Pharma has made the agreement only for a short-term pipeline stuffer, and any delays would result in a termination, this information is key for the small partner. Nothing is worse than an unanticipated termination for the small partner.