Let me guess is the content ahh?  Well it’s not just that.  I think every single web design freelance or someone  who owns a web shop company has been on this situation: the project never ends, continue and continue or worst is always “on hold”.

But after certain time we need to end and publish the website, for mental health, for the good relationship with the client and very important to receive the final payment.

When we start a project and we have to quote it: we define the scope of the project, we calculate the hours, the time frame and the cost.  But also is very important to clarify “verbally” to the client what’s the scope and that the project must end at the time estimated and for that, the project requires collaboration in both ways.

How to avoid “everlasting web projects”:

1. Define who “owns” the project.

Define with the client who’s going to be the person in charge of the project (from the client side) and be sure that this person is not going to be the CEO or some high business person at the company.

2.  Define the “scope” of the project.

After having all the requirements, write down all that the project include with all the details, point by point. Make a “kick off” meeting with your client. Doing this, we can avoid that the client make big additional changes that can maximize the time frame of the project.

3. Make a “timesheet” to set the schedule

I know that maybe in some cases this can result tedious for some people, but in my experience is something healthy.  With a timesheet, the client and us can paid attention to the time of the project and we can control it a little bit and also we can use this as a valid base for remember the client the commitment with the project. I recommend Merlin as a software for manage timesheets in web projects.

4. Communicate with your client.

Plan the “follow meetings” for the project, call your client.

5. Organize your team.

Talk with your team, establish the tasks and the tasks owners, set milestones.  Your team must now the  delivery dates in the timesheet.  Provide them all the necessary information to work. No excuses.

6. Make a “Content Inventory”

Do we have all the necessary information? Make a sitemap and from there a list of what is missing (logos, photos, content, etc.).  Present this list to the person in charge and establish dates for this delivery.

Well, these are some tips that can make your life easier and maybe could avoid everlasting web projects or like Buzz Lightyear (from Toy Story) must said “Beyond the Infinite“.