Creepy Projects?
Navigating Project Creep: Keeping our projects on track
In the dynamic and ever evolving world of marketing, projects can sometimes take unexpected twists and turns. One moment, we're on course rocketing along as planned; the next, we're juggling extra tasks, extended hours, and shifting goals and timelines. This sneaky phenomenon is known as project creep, and it's something we've all experienced.
Keeping it all in check
So what exactly is project creep?
Project creep is when a project's scope starts to expand beyond the original plan. For us this can mean additional project requirements, extended timelines, or extra communication that wasn't initially anticipated. While flexibility at our end is totally necessary, unchecked project creep can lead to:
Extra hours: Spending more hours than we planned for.
Stretched resources: Allocating more team members or equipment than planned.
Delayed timelines: Pushing deadlines further out impacting other planned projects.
Why does project creep happen?
Several things can lead to project creep:
Unclear initial scope: If the project's goals aren't well-defined from the start, it's easy for additional tasks to sneakily slip in.
Evolving ideas: As the project progresses, new ideas emerge, and while they're often amazing, they can expand the project's scope.
Extended client communications: Frequent emails, calls, or meetings beyond the agreed-upon schedule can take up tons of extra time.
Delayed client feedback: When clients take longer to provide information or approvals, it can stall progress and lead to rushed work later.
How do we manage project creep?
At C i Marketing, we pride ourselves on being adaptable and understanding. We know that creativity doesn't always stick to a schedule, and great ideas can emerge at any time. And, prevention is always better than cure so here are our tips to keep projects on track:
Super clear project scope of works: Right from the start of the quoting progress, we take the time to really understands the clients goals with each project and create itemised quotes outlining all activities. The project only starts once the client is on board with the plan and has signed it off.
Open communication: We maintain regular check-ins with our clients to discuss progress, changes and feedback. This aims to ensure everyone is on the same page and potential changes can be identified early.
Clear documentation: Any changes to the project scope are documented and agreed upon. This helps in understanding the impact on timelines and budgets.
Flexibility with boundaries: We're happy to accommodate minor changes without fuss. However, for more significant shifts, we'll discuss re-quoting or adjusting timelines to ensure quality isn't compromised.
In conclusion
Project creep is a common challenge in the marketing world, but with proactive communication, clear boundaries and a few deep breaths, it can be managed effectively. Creative journeys can have a few bumps in the road, but at the end of the day, we are committed to delivering exceptional results while trying to ensure our projects stay on course and expectations are met (or exceeded).