Comments on: How to Deal with Feature Creep http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/ Web Design Resources and Tutorials Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Pawełhttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-597152 Paweł Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:34:37 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-597152 One of the best articles I've read recently. Great job. As many people noted, the most important part of it is switching from solutions to problems.I, as an open-source developer, face similar, but not exactly the same problems as people who code for specific clients.In my case, most often people mistake bug reports and feature requests: the effect is that I receive a lot of "bugs" that can be translated as "it works very well, but it could also do this...". To manage with that, I always inform in the "Report a bug" section, that the priority is to find bugs which don't let people use the program. Many people fortunately get it. If somebody makest the mistake, I simply remind them that their proposition is or isn't good, but the priority is ... One of the best articles I’ve read recently. Great job. As many people noted, the most important part of it is switching from solutions to problems.

I, as an open-source developer, face similar, but not exactly the same problems as people who code for specific clients.

In my case, most often people mistake bug reports and feature requests: the effect is that I receive a lot of “bugs” that can be translated as “it works very well, but it could also do this…”. To manage with that, I always inform in the “Report a bug” section, that the priority is to find bugs which don’t let people use the program. Many people fortunately get it. If somebody makest the mistake, I simply remind them that their proposition is or isn’t good, but the priority is …

]]> By: m a r c ohttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-573157 m a r c o Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:05:40 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-573157 Very good article... I especially liked the part about changing the tone of the conversation from solutions into design problems. It's so easy to fall on those "traps" where the client is dictating the entire design process, making changes to requirements along the way and effectively killing your ability to use your design and concept skills. I know when I recently received my Design Bachelor's degree, I got into situations like that (they taught me to conceptualize, use typography, color, balance and all the other stuff, but they never taught me how to interact with clients). Thank God with time I've learned a thing or two... Very good article… I especially liked the part about changing the tone of the conversation from solutions into design problems. It’s so easy to fall on those “traps” where the client is dictating the entire design process, making changes to requirements along the way and effectively killing your ability to use your design and concept skills. I know when I recently received my Design Bachelor’s degree, I got into situations like that (they taught me to conceptualize, use typography, color, balance and all the other stuff, but they never taught me how to interact with clients). Thank God with time I’ve learned a thing or two…

]]> By: 8gb usb stickhttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-562840 8gb usb stick Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:47:36 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-562840 Hi, Very informative post.It helped me a lot.Problem/Solution examples are really appreciable.I believe this is the primary thing both designers and clients should understand. Hi,
Very informative post.It helped me a lot.Problem/Solution examples are really appreciable.I believe this is the primary thing both designers and clients should understand.

]]> By: Pusparajhttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561935 Pusparaj Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:33:48 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561935 Everybody's issue. Sometimes it feels like i'm not designer, the client is. Everybody’s issue. Sometimes it feels like i’m not designer, the client is.

]]> By: Chotrul Web Designhttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561548 Chotrul Web Design Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:01:10 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561548 The section on problems and solutions was very interesting. I worked previously at a company where the directors could not let go and identify the problems and not pretty much dictate the solutions too. It was real hard to manage this and create something which actually did the job. Sometimes these things are workable, sometimes less so. Sometimes you just have to move on if you are not really able to do what you are trained to do, if it's that bad! The section on problems and solutions was very interesting. I worked previously at a company where the directors could not let go and identify the problems and not pretty much dictate the solutions too. It was real hard to manage this and create something which actually did the job. Sometimes these things are workable, sometimes less so. Sometimes you just have to move on if you are not really able to do what you are trained to do, if it’s that bad!

]]> By: Crystalhttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561277 Crystal Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:28:46 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561277 Great article. This is the most frustrating problem for me and seemingly the most difficult to deal with! This is a great overview and great tips, thanks! Great article. This is the most frustrating problem for me and seemingly the most difficult to deal with! This is a great overview and great tips, thanks!

]]> By: Fohttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561161 Fo Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:22:38 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561161 I havent finished reading this post yet but i have to make this comment."The key is to make the client bring problems, not solutions".This has to the best thing i have read today. This is a real eye-opener. I'm definately going to incoporate this to my practiceThank you so much for sharing I havent finished reading this post yet but i have to make this comment.

“The key is to make the client bring problems, not solutions”.

This has to the best thing i have read today. This is a real eye-opener. I’m definately going to incoporate this to my practice

Thank you so much for sharing

]]> By: özel dershttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561131 özel ders Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:33:41 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561131 good article. thanks good article. thanks

]]> By: Michaelhttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561115 Michael Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:03:28 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561115 God, i know all about this!I designed a client management system for a compensation claim business and ive only just finished it after 6 months because the client every week feature creeped, luckily i told them this is more than what we agreed on and after each new feature they agreed i should put it on my invoice and theyre happy with that, should be getting paid for this job soon but funnily im more looking forward to not dealing with them as often as i have been than being paid for the job haha! God, i know all about this!

I designed a client management system for a compensation claim business and ive only just finished it after 6 months because the client every week feature creeped, luckily i told them this is more than what we agreed on and after each new feature they agreed i should put it on my invoice and theyre happy with that, should be getting paid for this job soon but funnily im more looking forward to not dealing with them as often as i have been than being paid for the job haha!

]]> By: Noel Wigginshttp://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/#comment-561057 Noel Wiggins Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:06:01 +0000 http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/?p=13867#comment-561057 In some cases clients may be trying to get the biggest bang for their buck and in other cases they may not know what is a small change versus a hard one, and they might either say "nah" that change isn't needed after all or would gladly pay the additional money to have the change done.As a professional graphic designer it is your job to advice them of this process. Its a difficult balance but you need to be willing to help, while protecting yourself. In some cases clients may be trying to get the biggest bang for their buck and in other cases they may not know what is a small change versus a hard one, and they might either say “nah” that change isn’t needed after all or would gladly pay the additional money to have the change done.

As a professional graphic designer it is your job to advice them of this process. Its a difficult balance but you need to be willing to help, while protecting yourself.

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