Yes, there's a reason it's called project creep...
________________________________ From: Michael Mattias/LS <[email protected]> To: EDI-L <[email protected]> Sent: Wed, April 6, 2011 12:54:45 PM Subject: Re: [EDI-L] <MISC> - To all Contractors out there >Great verbiage. I think the concern however, is what you've so clearly >pointed >out in your fantastic clause. Clients will avoid/delay testing, make >modifications to the system and/or change business requirements and either >through ignorance or by intent, make that the consultant's "error". Thank you for your kind words, madam. But there is no 'concern' re changes in business conditions. When I first formally got into "the software business" it was as general manager of a VAR firm. It took me close to two-three days to figure out the biggest problem in that firm was the 'moving development targets.' I stoppped that. If you want to change something AFTER the specs for developement are agreed upon, it's a modification, subject to additional charges. When I became myself an independent developer, I thought that worked pretty well so I went one step further: I reserve the right to take any changes after specifications are agreed and NOT do them UNTIL "version one" has been delivered, accepted and paid for. That works, too. The whole key is good specifications before the first line of code is written. Hell, you have to document the project anyway, so why not do that FIRST instead of the typical LAST so that everyone is on the same page? No more "moving targets!" Ref my other recent post: How the heck you think a one-man operation like me has stayed in business this long? HINT: it's not by taking foolish risks or saying 'yes' because it's what someone wants to hear. I'm in the fee for service business: Here is the service (the specs), here is the fee; do you wish to proceed or not? (Ok so that is a little simplified - but the principle remains intact at all times). I'll go another step... if you are not ready to conduct your business like this - that is, AS A BUSINESS - maybe 'independent software developer' is a less-than-optimal career choice. Michael C. Mattias Tal Systems Inc. Racine WI [email protected] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ ... Please use the following Message Identifiers as your subject prefix: <SALES>, <JOBS>, <LIST>, <TECH>, <MISC>, <EVENT>, <OFF-TOPIC> Job postings are welcome, but for job postings or requests for work: <JOBS> IS REQUIRED in the subject line as a prefix.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
