[thelist] job estimates with unknowns

[Matt Warden]

On 5/22/07, Bob Meetin <ontheroad at frii.com> wrote:
> I'm sure you all run into this.  I've met with a client several times; I
> think they are probably okay but are hardpressed to find the time to sit
> down with me and put to paper, diagram, flowchart, list, etc.,  all the
> pages they will need for their site, who will own updating content and
> such, but want an estimate to determine if it's in their budget.  I've
> met with them several times already.
>
> What do you do, give a best guesstimate range? Say that's based upon......

Minimize your risk. Heavily pad your estimate and describe to the
client that you had to do this because they do not have a good idea of
what they want. Frame it so that it is in their benefit to sit down
with you, as you will  be able to give them a better estimate. Make
them understand that if they cannot sit down with you, this is the
estimate you need to go with.

If they come back and say: no I won't sit down with you to give you a
better idea of what we want, and no your estimate is too high...
that's when you part ways.

They are creating the risk for you, and if they are not willing to
recognize and compensate for or eliminate that risk, then are these
really clients you want to deal with for the next 6 months?

-- 
Matt Warden
Cleveland, OH, USA
http://mattwarden.com


This email proudly and graciously contributes to entropy.