Hi All,

 

I'm new to the forum but looking forward to getting involved – I'm a freelance designer that handles both print and digital.

 

I'd love to get everyones opinion on this current situation – I've currently undertaken a project that is nearing completion (website design + branding project). I was approached directly by a client to work on there new website design and branding, I agreed and mentioned that I'm not a developer and so would recommended a development partner I have previously worked with on many projects. I got them involved right at the start to undertake the requirements and technical gathering session with the client (with the aim that they were obviously going to undertake the development side of the project on handover).

 

The client missed the development slot originally arranged (and are still making amendments to the design) and understandably the development partner became busy with other work (They were totally up to date with the project and knew both functionally and technically what they needed to build ie. I could hand them this with very little need for follow up). However the date for completion is now into 2016 and the client isn't happy and wants to use a different developer.

 

My question is how much involvement everyone feels I should have with this (baring in mind I have almost finished the website design and branding side of the project and have now been paid for this). I wanted to avoid a situation where I would need to bring a developer up to speed on the project (which is why I got them in right at the start). Am I within my right to just simply package up and email all my designs (requirements gathering and technical specifications documents, clickable wireframes, site-map etc) to the new developer and make it clear to the client that my section of the project is now complete?

 

My worry is I will have to field numerous phone-calls, meetings and catchups with a developer (I've never worked with before!) that is new to the project (something I wanted to avoid by getting my development partner in right at the start!) also worth mentioning as I have now been paid (for Website Design + Branding) I would essentially be acting as technical support for free (I have a basic level of development knowledge). Interested to get peoples thoughts on this.

Thanks.

I can only speak from a development point of view, but I've recently worked on a project where the design was outsourced by the client and the designer sent over the designs, and I worked from them, I had some interaction with the designer but it was very little, maybe the odd question about parts that he'd overlooked in his designs. Ultimately it depends on the developer and the type of site that is being developed.

 

I suppose as long as you've been paid for what you were originally tasked with doing, anything further to this I suppose is at your discretion, this is just my 2 cents, you'll probably get a much better answer from more experienced designers, who may have had similar issues.

Thanks for the response – Its definitely interesting to here from a developers perspective. The website is around 15 pages and would be built on WP (with many of them templated as its a moderately text heavy website). It is of course responsive and I have designed both Mobile and Desktop versions (although I have left Ipad as my developer partner was originally comfortable translating these from the mobile designs – Using the mobile menu etc).

 

I definitely agree with your stance and don't want to burn any bridges with the client but in the same respect I should of also mentioned that I have already gone massively over budget (timewise) up until this stage on the project.

It sounds very similar to the situation I was in, an if the developer they source is worth their weight I shouldn't imagine they'll need much contact with yourself, you may get the odd query, but nothing serious.

The client missed the development slot originally arranged (and are still making amendments to the design) and understandably the development partner became busy with other work (They were totally up to date with the project and knew both functionally and technically what they needed to build ie. I could hand them this with very little need for follow up). However the date for completion is now into 2016 and the client isn't happy and wants to use a different developer.

 

This is the main problem, the client missed the development slot. I get this all the time, however I normally explain quite simply that if they want me as a developer to hold their spot until they're ready then I will charge each hour I'm not working from the start of the agreed timeslot. At this point clients generally go "oh well, start of 2016 will be fine"

 

If the project can't wait for your developer and they want to source a new developer and bring them up to speed then the 'development' side of the budget is no longer valid, each developer will quote for their time at their rate to complete this project and you will need to be paid to additionally to 'project manage' a developer they choose. Changing developer is essentially 'scope creep'.

 

As @@richardmountain says any good developer should be able to work from the tech brief, wireframes etc.

Edited October 28, 201510 yr by BrowserBugs

 

This is the main problem, the client missed the development slot.

 

Ditto as well. We've got a client that's 3 months overdue with the agreed schedule. We'll carry on with the work of course but we have told them that as they are late other work now takes precedence. They also have the option of paying a premium to have their site work pushed to the front of the queue...

A software development company should aim for success in the industry and also target for client satisfaction as well. A software methodology should be adapted to better the prospects to survive in the industry.