how to avoid disasters on digital projects

MANAGING DIGITAL PROJECTS

Near Future Strategy Advisors +353 86 2300702 [email protected] www.nearfuture.io

Keith Bohanna

Digital Is Critical

! You cannot leave it to chance

! Or hope the web developer will manage it

!  It won’t just work out

Lets set the scene

In most digital projects (websites, mobile apps, websites and databases/software)….

The client

! Don’t know what they want ! Don’t know how to communicate it

! Never understand what a developer is talking about

there’s more

! Don’t really want to do web stuff

! Can’t give it time ! Have unrealistic expectations

The Web Developer

! Doesn’t know what the client wants

!  Is mediocre in the first place

The Web Developer

!  Is either a graphic designer or a geek ! Neither think/communicate like a normal person

What can we do about this?

“Web Developer” Means Nothing

Undefined Unregulated

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graphic designers

software developers

mobile apps developers

web developers

What do they look like?

! 2 to 4 people minimum (mix of design & tech skills)

!  In business for a couple of years

! Relevant portfolio

CHOOSE THE WRONG ONE AND….

Tender Process

Consistency & Common Sense

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Tender Process

! You need a functional spec ! And a shortlist – at least 4 !  In document give interview date

Assessing responses

! Did they answer each of your questions?

! Are their responses clear?

Interviews

! Allow an hour ! Ask for a 20 minute presentation

! Watch their cohesion as a team – push them

! Push them

Interviews

! You need to meet the people who will directly work on your project

Web Dev!Co!

Relevant!Portfolio!Project!

Your Client Project!

Web Dev!Co!


Individual!dev.!


Web Dev!Co!


Individual!dev.!


Muppets!

Web Dev!Co!


Contract!dev.!


Muppets!

Web Dev!Co!


Individual!dev.!


TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

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Trust Your Instincts

!  If their work is substandard then that is what they will deliver for you

Trust Your Instincts

!  If you don’t understand them now then you never will

KISS by Steven Wright

You can’t have everything.

Where would you put it?

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KISS

! Everything takes longer than planned

! Most projects contain things that customers do not care about

KISS

! The more there is the more complex the project gets

! The more likely it will run over time or budget or just not work

KISS

! What to Do? ! Force stripping back to the basics

! It saves cash, time and stress

Content by me

Content takes bloody ages

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Content

Good content takes longer than that

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Content

! Plan for it from day one ! Consider getting a freelance content writer in

! Sort out photos and permissions early

The Commercials

Be fair, be clear

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Commercials

! Building good digital (website/app) takes time

! That needs to be respected and paid for properly

! Daily rate €400 to €600

Commercials

! Set 2 to 3 key milestones and payment structure against them

Commercials

In a simple project maybe: ! Signed off design ! Material portion of site/app tested and signed off

! Final completed project

Finally

Communicate. Constantly.

Clearly.

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MANAGING DIGITAL PROJECTS The End

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