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Client Contribution to Web Projects

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by webrageous 1 view

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I work in web design and development on
a full-time basis for a large
organization as well as doing
independent freelance work on the side.

One problem I encounter on a fairly
consistent basis is the inability to get
the client (these may bepeople inside
the organization or my freelance
contracts) to provide me with the
necessary content to get the site done
in a timely manner. I create the
interface and do some (if not all of the
programming) but I don't write the
content for the organization.

Often, in the last two weeks of the
project they will send me pages and
pages of material and still expect me to
get it done in time. It seems no matter
how many times I go over the process
with them about the type of content and
when I need it, it's never delivered to
me on time.

Any advice on how I can get more
cooperation from the client?

2 replies

by rick freedman

Webrageous; (cool name!)

This is an example of the type of project skills that technical consultants must develop in order to be successful. My experience (I train consultants in project and "soft" skills) is that these types of problems are usually caused by neglecting role definition up front. Strong project leaders create a written project plan, deliverables document, and roles and responsibilities document before they get into the actual "doing" on a project. It sounds to me (when yousay "go over the process") that you're relying on conversation rather than documentation and project plans. this ad-hoc approach may seem more expedient atthe moment, but as you're experiencing it ends up costing more time later in the process.You need to start your projects with a kick-off meeting in which you emphasize that the creation of content can't be outsourced, that only the client can do that piece, and that you are building their deliverables into your schedule. Then document that conversation and distribute it along with a project plan, a deliverables document that lists what you're expecting from them, and a project plan with a schedule for whan you need their piece to proceed. Get them to acknowledge receiving it via email return receipt of signoff. Then send them a reminder weekly until you get what you need, always referring back to the agreed documents. Call an emergency meeting when you aren't getting compliance. Always have an escalation path within the client organization in case you can't get compliance.

Good luck.

rick

by webmaster

The prior message definitely gives some ideas to prod the client into doing their part.

One thing I found especially good is to formally outline a list of triggers and actions, outlined in a "by-days" format. For example, 5 days to develop JobSection layout, 3 Days to incorporate content, and so on. This way, your deadlines become reactive to their deliverables.

For example: The 3 days starts counting when they send you the content.

Formalizing a list of deliverables and resultingactions, noting how many days required for each action, will work well to keep the client's expectations realistic.

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