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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>a) - Lists of fields to be
stored </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>b) - Sample screen designs (even if
it's just in pen - but better if mocked up electronically)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>c) - Sample report
designs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>f) Any processing (eg. input or
output processes / links to external systems / files) should be detailed if
applic.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>HTH</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Kath</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=sdssoftware@optusnet.com.au
href="mailto:sdssoftware@optusnet.com.au">Kath Pelletti</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=accessd@databaseadvisors.com
href="mailto:accessd@databaseadvisors.com">Access Developers discussion and
problem solving</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, October 01, 2003 7:39
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [AccessD] Project Official
Start</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Great advice from Gustav and
Andy - with this client I think the spec is going to be an absolute
must.....w</FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>ithout 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.....)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Kath</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=gustav@cactus.dk href="mailto:gustav@cactus.dk">Gustav Brock</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=accessd@databaseadvisors.com
href="mailto:accessd@databaseadvisors.com">Access Developers discussion and
problem solving</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, October 01, 2003 6:04
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [AccessD] Project Official
Start</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Hi Hadyn<BR><BR>This "yes" is nothing more than a
"Declaration of Intention" which on<BR>its own has some value though not
being an agreement.<BR><BR>I would not sign or negotiate anything before
specs are settled as<BR>these are the foundation for any further discussion.
Whether you or<BR>the client carries the cost for writing the specs doesn't
matter.<BR><BR>Then, don't accept 8%. Where does this figure come from? If
you can't<BR>avoid it, go for 3% for each 14 days so you can reach a
compromise at<BR>about 5% each 10 days (which, by the way, is just as
arbitrary as 3%<BR>or 8% or 1 or 2 weeks). Further, only major missing items
from the<BR>specs (do include a list of these in the final agreement)
should<BR>release this penalty, not minor tweaks as correction of
spelling<BR>errors in menu items and the like. <BR><BR>Also, have a firm
agreement on how long time the client can use for<BR>approving your app
after you have installed a revised version. And, if<BR>the client cannot
approve it, he has to specify in writing exactly<BR>what is missing
according to the specs. If he delays this action, the<BR>same amount of days
are added to your 11 weeks up to a maximum of,<BR>say, one week per approval
after which your app will be regarded as<BR>approved whether the client has
signed or not.<BR><BR>/gustav<BR><BR><BR>> When do you say a project has
started? I have a client that has said 'Yes'<BR>> to a project, but
has not signed off the spec, or the quote, and now wants<BR>> to
negotiate penalty clauses before they sign (if we don't deliver on
time<BR>> to the proposed end date (11 weeks from start of project) they
reduce total<BR>> payment by 8% for each full week we are late). I
have managed to get them<BR>> to exclude Acts of God etc, and have
suggested that if they are to blame for<BR>> the delay we should be
allowed to charge them for the extra time.<BR><BR>> Any
thoughts?<BR><BR>> Kind regards<BR>>
Hadyn<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>AccessD
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