I recently started my own small business (still have, but hoping to break out of, the day job).
Business is trickling in (IT Support), but not the business I would prefer (Project Management).
Recently I was given a Project Management lead. The project involves designing a complex e-commerce website and some related data migration. To cut costs development will be outsourced to a foreign company.
I gave my initial proposal and was told my ideas had merit and offered value, but were “out of the budget”, and that “if I devised a plan more suited to small business, to let her know”.
I built the proposal based on past experience (8 years of similar corporate work). Some items I felt would be the same would be communication time, documenting/resolving development issues, task monitoring, etc..
Also, the Lead Developer came in at a price $1000.00 higher than me, and was accepted.
I am wondering:
1. What are your opinions on reducing fees to land a contract?
2. My gut tells me this could be a fiasco due to budget restrictions and potential communication/accountability issues with a foreign company.
3. The Sponsor’s apparent feelings toward PM make me wonder how processes will be allowed to function, and if I will be hamstrung…
Have you been down this road? What are your thoughts?
AB
