One of the harder things about Web Design is staying on schedule.
Sometimes, it’s the designer’s fault. You take on a project before you’ve fully completed another project, or personal issues demanding your attention rise up unexpectedly, or all your clients want updates at the same time.
It’s a juggling act, but you must do it. Don’t you be the one holding up projects!
More often, delays are the client’s fault. In their rush to find a designer, convey their ideas for a new (or redesigned) site, and get started, they fail to gather the information the designer needs — text, marketing materials, photos, etc. The designer calls or e-mails several times, but the client is so busy running his business that he doesn’t have time to stop. Weeks go by without any work being done on their site.
In such instances, I’ve found that a gentle but firm reminder is all it takes to get things moving again. After all, which client wants to shell out more money for holding up progress?
Projects tend to have a certain ebb and flow. Some start with a flurry of excitement, then slow up, speed toward another milestone, slow up again, then rush toward the finish line.
Others creep along like old people walking the hallways of a nursing home.
Still others might start slow but gradually pick up speed, to where you’re breathless at the completion point.
I’m hesitant about specifying a time frame in which every project must be completed. After all, things do happen, whether on my end as designer or on my client’s end. Nor is it any fun to pick up a project after a long time has elapsed and basically start over.
How do you handle staying on schedule?
Next time: Copyright
