- It's good to be clear,
speak about ideas, not typefaces,
and keep the client focused on the final goal
of the project.
But what can you do when the client asks
for the tenth set of revisions,
wants to continue to explore color options,
or won't commit to final copy.
Projects have a tendency to go on and on and on.
This is called project creep.
Without controlling this, you could, theoretically,
work on a project for the rest of your career,
without proper compensation.
Some clients are incredibly organized,
understand the schedule, and recognize the timing
involved to do the work.
Others, need more direction.
The client makes changes to the content,
causing delays that affect the delivery date.
When the deadline for delivery passes,
clients rarely remember that their actions
caused the timing problem.
They blame the designer.
It's not fair, but it's very common.
It's my job to make sure the project stays on track
and meets the deadline.
My only tools after reason fails,
are time and money.
First, I try not to be a jerk about revisions.
My proposals list how many sets of revisions I'll make.
If there are more, the client is billed hourly.
My hourly rates are listed in the contract.
The project is based on a fee.
The hourly rates are listed only
for the purpose of billing for revisions.
Here's a good scenario.
My client has made three sets of revisions
to the copy on their website homepage.
I sent an email reminding him
that we've reached the scope of revisions
listed on the proposal.
If he asks for a small change, I'll go ahead and make it.
It doesn't pay to nickel and dime anyone.
But, if the revisions continue,
I need to begin charging for the time involved.
When my client sends the fourth set of major revisions,
I send a change order, estimating the time needed
to make these.
This also includes a revision to the schedule,
pushing the deadline back to account
for the revision time.
I don't proceed until the client approves the change order.
This might seem hard nosed.
But imagine, if you're building your dream house,
the bathroom tile you approved is installed,
but you change your mind.
I doubt you'd be surprised or offended
if the contractor gave you a change order
and the move in date was delayed.
What we do is no different.
It may seem that an extra few hours is fine.
But things always take longer than expected,
and those are hours you could be working
on billable time for another client.
There are two outcomes from issuing the change order.
Either the client can agree, which is good
because you are compensated,
or the client stops and agrees that it's fine as is
and doesn't need a revision.
Once every change is monetized and creates delays,
clients typically decide to stop monkeying
with the project.
Without this action, projects might never stop.
Someone can revise the homepage paragraph for years.
You are making sure the project stays on budget
and on time, that's your job.
When a client questions why I'm sending a change order,
I explain this.
It shows that you're responsible,
but gives them the option of continuing to modify the work.