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If this is the wrong forum, let me know and I'll move it.
Before you start a new project/contract, what questions do you ask?
Here's what I send my potential clients. I pre-filled some of it...
1. Primary Point of Contact
a. Name, Company, Address, Office and Cell Phones, Email
2. Scope of the Project
a. Time & Cost
i. Expected Date of Completion
1. (Date goes here)
ii. Budget
1. (Amount Goes Here)
b. Infrastructure
i. Web Access
1. Does the app need to be able to remotely access the database?
a. Yes / No
ii. Development Platform
1. Microsoft C#.Net 4.0, Windows Presentation Foundation 4.0
iii. Target Hardware
1. (What kind of computers will the application run on? Desktop, Laptop, tablets, Phones, etc)
iv. Supported Operating Systems
1. Desktop/Tablet/Laptop/Phone Components
a. Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8
2. Server Components
a. Microsoft Window Server 2008 R2
v. Target Databases
1. (SQL Server, VFP, Access, NoSQL)
c. Requirements
i. See Requirements document
ii. Phases
iii. Deliverables
iv. Milestones
v. Interoperability with other applications
1. Will the software interact with other software applications?
2. Will the software use an third party components
vi. Source Code Control
vii. Testing
Do you guys use or do anything like this? Any thoughts on this? Amy I missing anything critical?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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Accounting department contact!
I must admit I was never that organised when I was consulting, probably explains why I am a contractor!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Don't be too demanding, contracting has two styles, code guru, and consultant. As a consultant it might be YOUR job to provide many of these answers. Many companies are in this situation, they just don't know what they need to get to where they want to be, and that's your job, to lay it out, to set expectations.
I have been in many contracts like this, and only one that wasn't, so playing lose is IMO the best way to go about it. Communication is the key. And flexibility.
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In my 28 years of consulting, there is one thing that's true....
"The client doesn't know what they want, but they know that what you gave them isn't it"
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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I would never have done this in writing, always face to face if possible and over the phone if not.
Dialogue is what I always found to be important - ask a question and 90% of clients won't know the answer, so will put down something they think is right, without too much thought.
Once I've had discussions around all of this, I will confirm it to them in writing.
PooperPig - Coming Soon
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This is just a guideline document I created to ensure I hit all the points I need.
I go through this with my clients before each project.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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I don't handle this kind of stuff for my current business, but when I was self-employed, or if I were to go back to individual contracting, I'd be more flexible than this. If someone wants to bring a contractor in, it's probably because they don't know exactly what they want (otherwise they'd get code monkeys to just write it), so answering most of those points is part of the brief. I'd get a rough idea of what they wanted, how long they expected it to take to get there and how much money they were prepared to throw at me, and then if it seemed like a job worth taking I'd get into the details of platform, technology stack etc and what the requirements might be.
If you nail everything down at the start you can guarantee it won't be like that any more by the middle, never mind the end. Better to clue the client in on that up front so you can work with changing requirements, not against them.
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I've been doing this for almost 30 years, most of it self employed. I totally disagree with you.
First, there is NEVER flexibility. If the customer wants a change, they pay. As soon as they waiver from the contract or specs, they pay. I don't work for free, and I don't give away code. I learned this many years ago when customers started "moving target software" where they change their minds in mid development and don't think they should pay for it. If you don't charge for each change, they keep asking for more and bigger "freebies". I specify very clearly in my contracts that I will NOT develop any code other than what's in the specs.
Second, I ask these question because you simply CANNOT write an app with a vague idea. If they don't know what they want, then we figure it our before we start. You CANNOT develop what the customer doesn't know. So I'm hoping to solicit more questions to ensure that I'm not missing something.
I agree that you cannot "If you nail everything down at the start", but the questions I ask in that questionnaire are a real good starting point.
If someone wants to bring a contractor in, it's probably because they don't know exactly what they want "
Not true at all. Think about your statement. You just said "I'm not sure what I want, so I'll hire some guy who charges more than average to do it".
There are many reasons clients use contractors, and never once did one of my clients call me to develop an app because they didn't know what they wanted. The primary reasons clients use customers are they don't need to hire someone full time for a one-and-done job.
I'd get a rough idea of what they wanted, how long they expected it to take to get there and how much money they were prepared to throw at me, and then if it seemed like a job worth taking I'd get into the details of platform, technology stack etc and what the requirements might be.
Totally backwards. How can you possibly discuss time & money when you don't know thing like the technology stack and don't know the requirements?
At any rate, the point of my post was to see what other questions people out there ask.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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Well, fine. I'm not sure why you made a post asking for thoughts if you're going to respond to my thoughts like that, though.
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You should go back and re-read my post.
I didn't ask anyone how to run a business. I asked if there were any technical questions other people ask.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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For first time about to leave though. Anyone still using my CPForAndroid? I love it. Just when I thought the code was bad I upgraded my phone to MAXX (when it first came out a year ago? 6 months ago??) and it still works. I know its basic but it still allows me to hang CP style ![Green Alien | [Alien]](https://www.codeproject.com/script/Forums/Images/alien.gif)
modified 30-Sep-14 17:53pm.
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JoeSox wrote: Anyone still using my CPForAndroid? I love it.
You'd better! Otherwise, I'd report you to the owner.  Don't browse CP on a mobile non-desktop, but when I did try it, it was useful.
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Time to move to Iceland...
Alberto Brandolini: The amount of energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.
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Yes. Those petrified people in Pompeii never caught ebola.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Actually, it was a reference to Plague Inc, a game where you try to destroy the world with a plague.
Iceland is particularly hard to infect: Only an infrequently visited sea-port (no airport) with no land borders, a cold climate with good healthcare - much easier to start the game in hot poor countries with bad health systems so people normally start with viruses able to infect those.
Alberto Brandolini: The amount of energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.
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Hey, I still play DooM, so don't expect me to be up to date with the latest game news...
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Doom - what's that? Commander Keen and his Bacon and Beans Megarocket!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Everyone on the planes needs to be put into isolation wards. Is this being done?
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Aren't you glad they let those infected people back into the US?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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A lot of European lines have halted flights to these countries. It just isn't worth the risk.
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Munchies_Matt wrote: A lot of European lines have halted flights to these countries. It just isn't worth the risk.
and the U.S. should do the same; until this epidemic is contained.
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They should have done that MONTHS ago. Now, we have 200+ people that were on the airplane and their families, any anyone at an airport where the plane may have had a layover before arriving in Dallas, not to mention anyone that continued on after Dallas.
Factor in the massive and crowded airports we have here, and it's been what, a week since the guy arrived back in the country?
It's already too late to "stop it in its tracks".
This mortning on the news, I heard a CDC guy say it was "mildly contagious". What a laugh...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote: They should have done that MONTHS ago.
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I've seen this movie. It doesn't end well for most of us.
My plan is to live forever ... so far so good
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