[AccessD] Project Official Start

Haydn, and if the time spent in coming up with a proper spec is going to make the whole thing unprofitable for you, I would at least consider doing:

a) - Lists of fields to be stored    
b) - Sample screen designs (even if it's just in pen - but better if mocked up electronically)
c) - Sample report designs.

d) Make sure that the criteria and sorts / filters for reports are mentioned. (eg. this report will be able to be run for a) one client or b) all clients, and will be sorted (ascending) by client surname.

e) Same for forms if applicable and if filters are to be used, explain how they will work and how they can be reset etc.

f) Any processing (eg. input or output processes / links to external systems / files) should be detailed if applic.

Once the client sees this and are asked to sign off the designs then they will have a very good idea of their commitment to you and may even ask for a more detailed spec.

HTH
Kath
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kath Pelletti 
  To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 7:39 PM
  Subject: Re: [AccessD] Project Official Start


  Great advice from Gustav and Andy - with this client I think the spec is going to be an absolute must.....without it, how will you agree that the system (as commissioned) has been delivered? It's going to be as much for you as them - they could keep coming back to you otherwise and that could prove very costly if you have a penalty clause. (and 8% sounds way too high.....)

  Kath
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Gustav Brock 
    To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving 
    Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 6:04 PM
    Subject: Re: [AccessD] Project Official Start


    Hi Hadyn

    This "yes" is nothing more than a "Declaration of Intention" which on
    its own has some value though not being an agreement.

    I would not sign or negotiate anything before specs are settled as
    these are the foundation for any further discussion. Whether you or
    the client carries the cost for writing the specs doesn't matter.

    Then, don't accept 8%. Where does this figure come from? If you can't
    avoid it, go for 3% for each 14 days so you can reach a compromise at
    about 5% each 10 days (which, by the way, is just as arbitrary as 3%
    or 8% or 1 or 2 weeks). Further, only major missing items from the
    specs (do include a list of these in the final agreement) should
    release this penalty, not minor tweaks as correction of spelling
    errors in menu items and the like. 

    Also, have a firm agreement on how long time the client can use for
    approving your app after you have installed a revised version. And, if
    the client cannot approve it, he has to specify in writing exactly
    what is missing according to the specs. If he delays this action, the
    same amount of days are added to your 11 weeks up to a maximum of,
    say, one week per approval after which your app will be regarded as
    approved whether the client has signed or not.

    /gustav


    > When do you say a project has started?  I have a client that has said 'Yes'
    > to a project, but has not signed off the spec, or the quote, and now wants
    > to negotiate penalty clauses before they sign (if we don't deliver on time
    > to the proposed end date (11 weeks from start of project) they reduce total
    > payment by 8% for each full week we are late).  I have managed to get them
    > to exclude Acts of God etc, and have suggested that if they are to blame for
    > the delay we should be allowed to charge them for the extra time.

    > Any thoughts?

    > Kind regards
    > Hadyn

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