providing graphic design, branding, photography and marketing expertise to denver and the world
Quote
of the Week:
All solitary dreamers know that they hear differently when they close their eyes.-Gaston Bachelard
rush work
So, we all get slammed with rush jobs now and then. It's like a little flash flood in your neighborhood brook, only you rarely see the rain that brings it about beforehand. So when it comes, you need to have a plan.
"Well", you might say, "either I have time for it or I don't. What's with this 'plan' business?" In some cases, you are right: your schedule is already so packed with high-paying work that you simply can't fulfill your client's needs. But even then, you need a plan. Some--or all--of this may be common sense, but since it's my blog, I get to pontificate all I want; so here's my plan:
Know where your work is at. You should always have your finger on the pulse of each of your jobs. The best way to do this is by having a nice, efficient project management system in place. Whether it's a whiteboard, or something online like Basecamp, or a real, live, project manager around, knowing your projects' status allows you to accurately determine workload, and whether or not you can take on that rush project for someone.
Have options for distributing your workload. Rush work from an existing client or from someone out of the blue both deserve your undivided attention once you've determined you can take on the project. That's why you need to have other resources on-hand to help with getting the new work completed, or with taking over routine projects already in the pipeline while you do the new work personally. This can be someone in-house, or a contractor you've done work with in the past. Don't cut a new contractor's teeth on anything rush-related, unless you like living on the edge. Same goes for interns.
Commit to the job--completely. When you are working a rush project, set everything else aside: reschedule meetings, brainstorming sessions, any other "normal" project items, and give the rush project your full attention and time. This is how you can justify the rush charge you are surely assessing the client for the work, and more importantly, give it the attention it deserves. This also allows you the mental space and brainpower to think critically about the project at hand. Clearing the decks makes a lot of sense when you have a whale of a project coming right at you.
Maintain constant contact with your client. Since this is a priority for them, you should probably touch base with the client more often than usual. A simple phone call or e-mail (although I would recommend phone calls, as they are more immediate) every day, if it's a multiday project--and sometimes every hour, if the situation demands constant feedback (like a series of revisions going back and forth). Expect to get calls from your client at lunch, and after work; although I find the best clients usually leave work at work, and give themselves a rest, too. If you're not sure what the client is thinking, or what they are expecting, communicate with them ASAP to clear any misunderstandings or assumptions up. While this is always good practice, it's vital when doing rush work.
Debrief when it's all over. Talk to the client after you both have had a chance to catch your breath, and see how things went. What worked out well? What could have been done differently to make it better? Asking for feedback makes the client feel like the valuable collaborator they are in any project, and on rush work, it's even more important to do this and avoid leaving a bad taste in the client's mouth.
posted at 9:50 AM Leave your comments here: 0 comments
Leave your comments here: 0 comments
Archived Posts:
09.02
10.02
11.02
12.02
01.03
02.03
03.03
04.03
05.03
06.03
11.04
11.05
12.05
01.06
02.06
03.06
04.06
05.06
06.06
07.06
08.06
09.06
10.06
11.06
12.06
01.07
02.07
03.07
04.07
05.07
06.07
07.07
08.07
09.07
10.07
11.07
12.07
01.08
02.08
03.08
04.08
