It was really my own fault. I didn't do a proper SoW for a large to me ($50k) project.
I've been rather lazy lately. The client massively increased scope on me and then held the money ransom. My quote included a rather vague item of: Server setup for $X. They took server setup to include a whole lot of extra work. :( Not having proper project documentation meant my ability to fight was somewhat limited. Good lesson for me, not to be lazy. Normally I deal with great clients and this isn't an issue. Would you be interested in sending me yours off list to review? Shawn > How were you burned? > > My own PSA is 5 pages, and each SoW is about 4 pages. > > Regards, > > Michael B. Smith > Consultant and Exchange MVP > http://TheEssentialExchange.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Shawn Everett [mailto:sh...@tandac.com] > Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 7:52 PM > To: NT System Admin Issues > Subject: Scope Documents > > Hi All, > > After recently being burned by a client/project, I'm trying to come with a > new and better scope document. Could you please review the sample below > and provide feedback for things that are missing? > > I'm specifically looking for assumptions and disclaimers that would be > important to include in almost any scope document. > > Shawn > > === > Project Scope Document > > Purpose: Describe in simple terms what the project is all about. > > Project Activities: (steps needed to complete project) for example: > - Upgrade firmware and drivers on the new servers > - Install Windows 2008 R2 on both servers > - Install Exchange 2010 > etc. > > Project Deliverables: (What are we going to build) > - A working email server > > Project Completion: (The project is complete when) > - Email from the Internet reaches each mailbox > > Project Assumptions > All requested software will run correctly. > > Workstations are free of viruses, spy-ware or other defects that would > prevent them from being joined to the domain or working correctly. > > Network printers will have server compatible drivers. > > Old Anti-Virus can be removed easily from each PC. > > Disclaimers > 1. Items that fall out of the "deliverables" phase and cannot be easily > quantified in the "completion" phase are considered out of scope and will > be billed separately. > > 2. Existing client technology that is incompatible with the solution > offered above will be handled on a case by case "best effort" basis and > billed separately. > > 3. Custom software except for Noratek built software, is considered > outside scope. > > 4. If a problem comes up that affects a project completion guideline or > project deliverable and it has been covered as a project assumption, the > particular guideline/deliverable will be nullified. > > > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ > <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > --- > To manage subscriptions click here: > http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ > or send an email to listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com > with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > --- > To manage subscriptions click here: > http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ > or send an email to listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com > with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
