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How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

Date post: 27-Nov-2014
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Delivered for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources as part of the briefing and launch of the 2014 eCommerce voucher scheme in Dublin Castle
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MANAGING DIGITAL PROJECTS
Transcript
Page 1: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

MANAGING DIGITAL PROJECTS

Page 2: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

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

Keith Bohanna

Page 3: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

Digital Is Critical

! You cannot leave it to chance

! Or hope the web developer will manage it

!  It won’t just work out

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Lets set the scene

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

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The client

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

! Never understand what a developer is talking about

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there’s more

! Don’t really want to do web stuff

! Can’t give it time ! Have unrealistic expectations

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The Web Developer

! Doesn’t know what the client wants

!  Is mediocre in the first place

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The Web Developer

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

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What can we do about this?

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“Web Developer” Means Nothing

Undefined Unregulated

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graphic designers

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software developers

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mobile apps developers

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web developers

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What do they look like?

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

!  In business for a couple of years

! Relevant portfolio

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CHOOSE THE WRONG ONE AND….

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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

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Assessing responses

! Did they answer each of your questions?

! Are their responses clear?

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Interviews

! Allow an hour ! Ask for a 20 minute presentation

! Watch their cohesion as a team – push them

! Push them

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Interviews

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

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Web Dev!Co!

Relevant!Portfolio!Project!

Your Client Project!

Page 24: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

Web Dev!Co!

Relevant!Portfolio!Project!

Individual!dev.!

Your Client Project!

Page 25: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

Web Dev!Co!

Relevant!Portfolio!Project!

Individual!dev.!

Your Client Project!

Muppets!

Page 26: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

Web Dev!Co!

Relevant!Portfolio!Project!

Contract!dev.!

Your Client Project!

Muppets!

Page 27: How to Avoid Disasters on Digital Projects

Web Dev!Co!

Relevant!Portfolio!Project!

Individual!dev.!

Your Client Project!

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TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

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Trust Your Instincts

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

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Trust Your Instincts

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

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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

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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

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KISS

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

! It saves cash, time and stress

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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

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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

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Commercials

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

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Commercials

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

! Final completed project

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Finally

Communicate. Constantly.

Clearly.

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MANAGING DIGITAL PROJECTS The End


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