[webproducers] Re: requirements changes & contracts
- From: Richard Whitney <rwhitney@xxxxxxx>
- To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 14:55:53 -0500
Good overview Chris...that's exactly what I do, and in 3 years of writing
proposals, it hasn't failed me yet.
At 05:09 PM 1/10/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>Brief Synopsis:
>
>Protect yourself by:
>1) Building in reviews
>2) define your scope carefully. For an example of an excellent (and very
>dry scope document) have a look at the link below - It has nothing to do
>with the web, but, well, it might tickle your cookies, and it's good enough
>for the US Government
>http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20254.pdf
>
>I have added a more detailed discussion below -
>
>cheers
>
>chris
>
>
>Detailed:
>1) Build in "Review" periods into your project if at all possible. Almost
>all of the work we do on this side of the Pond (UK) is fixed price, and
>that's just the way the market is.
>
>In order to protect ourselves from getting it completely wrong we include
>the caveat that whilst we have quoted an absolute price for the first
>"phase" of work we will complete for the client, the quotes that we give at
>the outset of a project for later pieces of work are guide prices, not
>absolute.
>
>On a larger project, this might mean that we would quote our client a cost
>for a needs assessment phase. whilst we would also quote prices for the
>other phases of the project to completion, we reserve the right to change
>our figures if the client changes the scope. This is dressed up nicely:
>
>"Projects of this type often evolve to take a slightly different direction
>than that envisaged at the start. With this in mind, we quote separately
>for each phase. The figure for the first phase is firm =AD the quotes for
>later phases are best estimates."
>
>This approach could be applied to any situation, all work of any sort can
>naturally be broken up into bite sized chunks, so quote firmly only on the
>start of each piece, and reserve the right to change your mind later.!
>
>
>2) Create a very dry project scope document defining exactly what is in, an=
>d
>out of scope. Be very, very specific - if there are a certain number of
>pages to be added, then say so. MAKE YOUR CLIENT SIGN IT TO AGREE IT.
>
>Be very careful of anything like "create new products section" which is no=
>t
>numerically exact. It is a pain in the backside to write, but it makes a
>lot of sense in the long run.
>
>NB - This document becomes extremely handy at the end of projects, when you
>can turn around and say to your client:
>"Look, I over delivered here, here and here. And here's my proof!"
>
>As part of this document, include a change request process. This should
>include details of the mechanism by which the client should request changes=
>:
>e.g. changes must be requested by email/ fax to xxxxxx. The email/ fax mus=
>t
>include these details (senders name, problem, change requested etc).
>
>Specify what will happen if an out of scope change is requested:
>e.g. We will respond to your requests within X amount of time (e.g. 1
>business day). Changes not included within the original scope will only be
>undertaken after CLIENT has signed them off with YOURSELF. These changes
>will be charged at our normal daily rate of $$$$.
>
>3) There are no substitutes for a good lawyer.
>
>However, I get the impression that your client doesn't have a limitless
>pocket of money, and no doubt it is as difficult/ costly for him to get the
>lawyers involved as it is for you.
>
>I would undertake the project if I were you if I could answer yes to these:
>
>- "I can break the project down into small enough chunks that I can define
>each of them, and cost them quite accurately."
>(if you aren't sure what he wants, then don't commit because the scope will
>change)
>
>- "My client is not seeking to take advantage of me with a fixed price
>contract, he is just a little disorganised and he just isn't quite sure wha=
>t
>he wants yet, and he wants to make sure he doesn't spend more than he can
>afford."
>(if this is the case, spend more time scoping before you start work)
>
>- My gut feeling tells me this guy is not a Psycho, and as far as I am awar=
>e
>he has no history of pointless litigation!
>
>
>
>
>Cheers
>
>Chris
>
>
>Chris Hartley
>Interactive Producer
>Design Bridge Digital Media
>[tel] 020-7814-1918
>[fax] 020-7814-9024
>[web] http://www.designbridge.co.uk
>
>
>
>
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