cnl83
09-08-2005, 11:31 AM
Ok here is whats going on. Im doing some work for a web development agency. The problem this guy is having is pretty much getting the work out in a timely matter. We know that every developer including me has underclocked ourselves, which runs that time into another projects time. In turn causing a huge pile up and ticked off customers and no income. Its hard to keep a good developer full time because work gets real slow sometimes and then your doing nothing sitting on the clock. So this has us to hire mostly subcontractors instead of full time developers. Like me im sub-contracted by this agent. Well I finished the project I started for him, but Im loaded with work, and cant tend to the rest of his projects. You dont want to turn the work down, because you never know when you are going to get an opportunity like that again. These issue makes it hard to be successful in web development. 60% of developers rely on new work and have no residual besides. Id like some input on all of these issues (especially project management).
You tend to ignore these things and just work through it in hope of one day making a break through, but after years of putting up, it just aint happening.
Compguy Pete
09-08-2005, 03:44 PM
**** I spent way to much time on this and more than likely didn't even answer your post, but something I had to get off my chest I hope you enjoy****
I know I'm not alone on this site, as being full-time and not having another job, much like you.
I have many of the same issues...
I'm not sure I would really call it a Project Management issue thou... as what is the real issue?
If you’re like me your busy enough to get the jobs done however your finding days with nothing to do yet surf the web and do little more than worry about when the next job is coming. Then there are days where you’re so busy your a monster to be near because your overloaded. Been there done that :)
I've found you always have to be selling and to do that you have to do one of 3 things.
1. Hire a sales person
2. Do it yourself
3. Do nothing and wait for those contracts to find you.
Now #1 is possible even if you pay out 30-40% commission, you may think it's high however to an independent sales person that may be a bear minimum. On the flip side if the 2 of you work well together certainly you both win! You now have more business that you may not have gotten before and you both get paid.
#2 doing it yourself is what most do... and do it poorly because most developers are geeks and not very outgoing. However on the flipside of that because your willing to work for yourself shows a huge amount of ability to self motivate. OH I've tried a bunch of different tact’s however I've found that networking is what works best in my area. People buy web services and what not from what they hear from other people. What I've done is partnered with a couple of other guys in my area who only do tech work and I tell them Hey send me a client who needs web work or hosting and I'll pay you 10% of there bill. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than a freelance sales guy and again you’re paying something out that you may not have gotten before.
#3 enough said
Residuals
Gosh if you find a better residual in this business than hosting or site updates let me know. Keep your client happy... I also have started a new concept and that's quarter hour billing, vs. the normal hour minimum that most designers do. I want those updates regularly and I don’t want the client messing with the page. Most are more than likely going to accept a regular bill to take that hassle away. and your not going to get swamped with 3 billable hours worth of work after six months of them doing it and breaking the site and over that six months you've actually billed them for 4 hours because they were more apt to call because of the lower price...
Lastly one thing I’ve done is spread out and I do Webdesign/hosting, PC repair, Graphic design and networking. So I’m not dependant on one thing or the other it also gives me a nice mix. However I’ve spent a number of years working for someone else and doing this in my off time. It’s only been the last year I’ve done this solo and I tell ya there are times I find myself looking at the jobs on the web and the paper this is a hard business to get keep going if your not willing to “ALWAYS BE SELLING”
I’d say read my blog for more, however I suffer from “shoe makers kids syndrome” and I haven’t even touched my own site in more than a year. Which I do have under redevelopment and is at 80% done however wont see the light of day for weeks.
Now #1 is possible even if you pay out 30-40% commission, you may think it's high however to an independent sales person that may be a bear minimum. On the flip side if the 2 of you work well together certainly you both win! You now have more business that you may not have gotten before and you both get paid.
Be careful here. Let's don't get into a discussion about how much to charge and setting prices, commissions, etc. If any questions see the FAQ at: http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/pricing_faq.html
Snitchcat
09-13-2005, 04:03 AM
You may be sub-contracted, but there's nothing to stop you from contracting part of the work out to a sub-contractor or two or a team working under you. (But the sub-contracting depends on your contract with the web development company, how your payment is structured and how much you make.)
Also, do you have a network? If there are projects you can't take on, pass them to someone else and ask them to do the same for you -- just a note of caution: this takes lots of trust. If you don't trust whoever, don't pass on the projects.
As far as project management goes, to me, it sounds like you first need an overall picture of how your time is being spent:
Take a large calendar and in one colour, block out how long the current project will take you and its deadline. (Build in plenty of contingency time for those annoying last-minute 'oops we forgot' emergencies and the real emergencies.)
In a different colour, block out the next / parallel project you're working on and its deadline.
Keep going until you've blocked off all the projects you have on hand.
Now work in quality assessment & debugging time, expected & unexpected changes (unless you've already built this into the first time you blocked off the projects), time-off to get daily stuff done (e.g., meals, household chores, grocery shopping, exercise, etc.), and time-off to recharge.
Once you have an overall picture, you can start cutting time here, or adding time there, etc.
The main thing is to use this initial time assessment to try and spread out the work so you're not burning out, and still meeting client demands. For this part to work, you need to talk to the client and you both must agree on a reasonable schedule.
After setting up your final calendar, as the days pass, cross off the day. This will let you know how long you have before the delivery date. In turn, you can pace yourself accordingly.
I'm guessing your projects require several months' work, so, would suggest that at the same time, you set up a weekly schedule of deadlines and refer to that often.
An added benefit of having a visual representation of your time is: you can keep the work coming in without overloading yourself, and without having to get through periods of no income.
And this project calendar is also flexible -- if one schedule isn't working, you can readjust.
(Btw, XLS or another programme that allows a visual grid-like representation is very good.)
Does this method work? For me it does -- I used to freelance as a copyeditor and translator, and I'm also a part-time author. Initially, I had so many projects, I couldn't keep up and had publishing deadines to meet. Something had to give -- and none of them could. So, I set up the 'visual' calendar, worked out a reasonable schedule that would satisfy both clients and myself, and stuck to it. I detest sticking to a set schedule, but it ensured that I didn't go penniless one month and burn out with work in another.
And I've found this method translates just as easily to full-time employment (I do a lot of project management at work). It's kept me from getting overwhelmed with full-time work, and has allowed me to continue writing part-time.
Anyhow, this is just a suggestion you may want to try -- adapt it as you need to. If it works, great; if it doesn't, nothing lost.
If it works, you might suggest it the project manager in the web development company -- that way, he/she can also get the projects out in a timely manner. (Secondary benefits: you get steady work, an enhanced reputation, and no burnout.)
(Btw, while the calendar takes time to set up, it's time well spent.)
Hope this helps some.