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Proposal Software for Creative Professionals
Stop fighting Word, InDesign and PDF’s. Create professional proposals in less time, every time.
How to avoid
hell
PROJECTMANAGEMENT
According to a study by Spikes Cavell.
of projects fail due to
How will you prevent yours from failing?
“a breakdown in communications”57%
Scope your project right, the first time.
A project with unclear goals and objectives is destined to fail. It’s vital to have a clear and complete definition of the project’s scope before beginning!
Don’t be a crowd pleaser, unless you can deliver on time, every time.
It's too easy to be a “crowd pleaser” when it comes to setting deadlines. Missing deadline after deadline leaves a very sour taste with the client, and removes any possibilites for repeat work or referrals. Be reaslistic.
Never be afraid to over-communicate.Ever!
Take 5 minutes out of your day to send your client a progress report. Regular updates give your client confirmation that their money is hard at work and that everything is heading in the right direction.
Communication is key to client success.
The time your project management team get to spend with a client will be limited, so it must be spent well. If a client has to get on the phone to see what's happening, something isn't right. Pro-active communication!
Assign the right project manager.
“A good project manager doesn’t need to know anything about the subject to get it done.” Ever heard this one?
But a project manager that really understands what’s happening within a project has a much better chance of taking that project to successful completion.
Maintain project documentation.
Right from the initial discussion, start documenting. Document your meetings, your plans, the work you do and everything that happens along the way. Be aware that inconsistencies in documentation can cause disagreements and confusion between team members and subsequently create problems with your client.
Start with a solid project proposal.
Write a proposal that details just how you intend to help your client reach, if not surpass their goals. A proposal does two things, it lets your client see that you’ve listened and understood their problem. But it also sets the outline for how you will work to achieve the desired results.
Be specific with deadlines.
Include time estimates for everything that will be worked on, at least to a reasonable extent. It will help your client understand the amount of work needed to complete a task or milestone.
Use clear and easy to understand language in your proposal and communications.
If you wander into "techno-babble" your client may not understand what you’re saying, which can lead to ambiguity and uncertainty. Using a client’s own phrases in your communication says, “They get me”.
Plan for the work ahead.
After your proposal has been accepted, a detailed work plan is a great next step. The more time you spend planning the project will result in less time managing a project that is running out of control.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
When it makes sense, break large milestones into multiple smaller tasks. This helps to estimate the time required more accurately. If in doubt, over estimate.
If you need something, ask.
Include details of all resources that will be required at each stage of the project. This goes for clients as well. How should they get feedback to you, how soon and in what format? You are in control.
Check, monitor and check again.
Review your work plan on a regular basis in order to stay on schedule and on budget. Make sure everyone is up to speed on progress. Monitor the budget closely and keep an eye on your timelines. If things aren’t going as expected, act sooner rather than later.
Communication, Communication!
Communication is central to the success of any project. You can be sure that your client will appreciate a daily or weekly email check-in or phone call. But let there be no mistake, you are in the driving seat. It’s up to you to set expectations, and up to you to manage and surpass those very same expectations.
