There are many important processes in a digital project. One of the first, and subsequently the most important is to ensure you have a clear specification before you start ANYTHING.

If you’re current agency aren’t providing you with clear and detailed documentation of exactly what is (and isn’t) included in the functionality of your project then alarm bells need to be ringing! I guarantee the project will be a nightmare at best, a total failure at worst.

A specification should include the following:

-          Clear summary of the project

-          Measurable results/objectives to conclude the success or failure

-          Detailed site map / page plan showing the structure of the site and information architecture

-          Page by page breakdown of all functionality (what content, what form fields, what data is displayed, what imagery) Absolute detail!

-          Breakdown of fixed project costs and any ongoing  fees

-          Time plan breakdown stage by stage

-          Terms and SLA

If you have this documentation in place it will be totally clear what you are buying and what the agency is delivering.  It’s black and white, no debate, no question.  It’s essential you have this agreed and in place before you start anything else... no design, no build, no copywriting... spec first.

If you don’t have this level of documentation in place then who determines what’s in and what’s not?  How do you know what you’re paying for?

Your agency is basically forcing you to give them an open ended cheque allowing them to increase your costs and destroy your budget, or you will end up in a never-ending debate, turning into argument, that will sour your business relationship so no-one wins. Not a great result.

We’ve got many, many years experience preparing for and developing complex specification documents for our own projects or independently.

If you need help or want some advice to make sure your digital project goes more smoothly then drop us a line, we’d be happy to help.