Our Process - Project Proposal
A well-structured project proposal allows us to specify not only the solution we are proposing for your project but also how long it is likely to take to develop and the associated cost. Our proposals are only written after a detailed project planning session and are designed to act as an important working document for the forthcoming project development.
For your peace of mind, all our proposals come with a fixed price for development. Provided the scope of the project doesn’t change during development, you can be sure that your project will be delivered as specified for the exact price quoted.
Our proposal will be broken down into sections which will fully and unequivocally specify the project. This safeguards your interests, as you can be sure that no only are there no hidden costs but also that the finished project will have all the functionality you require.
Each of the proposal headings is designed to specify individual elements of the project’s development. These headings and their contents would form the basis for a schedule which would be appended to the development contract. Please click the link to view a sample Website Development Contract.
Our typical project proposal will consist of the following sections:
Project Description
This section of the proposal will detail your functional requirements for the project and our proposed solution to those requirements. It is important for all parties that what is and is not included in the project is documented accurately in writing. This will protect each party from any misunderstandings about functionality further down the line and ensures the smooth-running of the project.
To reinforce our proposed solution this section of the document will usually be supported by a number of schematics (diagrams). In the case of a website development project, this might include a site map, a functional map, website navigation etc.
This section of the document will act as a working document throughout the project development.
Project Process
Project process is the section in the proposal document that details how the project is going to progress. It covers the structure of our design process, together with details of the prototyping phase and the project build and testing.
Project Development Phases
This section of the document will specify the various stages of development. It will be based on the project description and any additional information we may have from you after the initial meetings and planning. Typically each phase will have a written sign-off at the end of it together with a payment point.
Specifying formal project development phases will allow the project to progress smoothly and allow any issues that arise to be dealt with at an early stage.
Web Browser Specifications
The exact specifications of the web browsers that a website development project is targeted to support must be stated in writing. This formal process ensures that there are no misunderstandings about this important aspect of the project during the project testing phase.
Monitor / Screen Specifications
Again, as a safeguard to both parties, it is important to have in writing the minimum monitor and screen specifications that are to be supported.
Other Special Specifications
Any other important specifications for the project development will also be detailed in writing.
Training
If the project is to include any training this will be detailed in the proposal and will include the duration of the training, an overview of the subjects the training is going to cover, who the training is targeted at and where it will take place.
Technical Support / Warranty Period
The proposal will include precise details about the technical support and warranty period. Typically we offer free technical support and warranty for one year from the project sign-off date, provided the environment and application software written by us has not been modified or reconfigured by any party other than ourselves.
Website Maintenance and Update Services
Our proposal will detail any ongoing maintenance costs for your website and hosting environment. Usually this will only apply to dedicated and co-located websites. Please click the link for more information on maintenance.
Background Technology Used
We will specify details of all the technology we will be using to build your solution and include
our reasons for making these choices. It is important to specify the boundaries of the solution in terms of technology used and technology supported by the project before development begins. This will include specifying the platform or platforms on which a solution is designed to run.
Web Server Hosting Environment
In the case of a website development project, we will specify the website hosting environment that is in our view the most appropriate for your solution. This will include the type of environment (virtual, dedicated or co-located) and the type of platform. We will specify a provider, based on our previous experience of using the company, and detail all the ongoing costs for the required hosting.
If you are supplying the hosting on an existing system we would document the type of hosting and the platforms it is using together with any other technical details about the hosting that we have considered in arriving at our solution.
Deadlines for Providing Services
We will give estimated deadlines for the completion of each phase of the project’s development. These deadlines will be based on the assumption that all elements of the project are supplied on time and project decisions are made promptly.
Cost of Services
The proposal will include a cost for each phase of project’s development. We will also supply a detailed cost breakdown for each functional component of the project which will allow you to check that all areas of development are offering you a good return on your investment.
Please click the link to see an overview of how we would develop your project.