AM Design

Here is a simple look at how we provide flexiblity in our delivery schedules in order to meet our clients’ needs.

We’ve worked with a wide array of companies and organizations and we’ve built a lot of websites for those clients. Each one has their own priorities and their own way of getting things done just as we at AM do. A key element of this process is the project timeline. It establishes the deadlines that must be met in order to keep us on track and, if followed, makes sure the client receives their product by an agreeable date. However, we began realizing our timeline didn’t always match up with the capabilities of the client. Sometimes they couldn’t get approvals or other milestones that were their responsibility completed on time during the process which resulted in major project delays in some cases.

Running a development business requires having the staff in place to provide the services to our clients when they need them. If our clients delay their projects unexpectedly, then that leaves our development team having to scramble to find billable work to put in it’s place and keep our company’s profitability in check. We wanted to be flexible with our client’s needs but we also needed structure in our scheduling as well to maintain an efficient business model. The breakthrough came when we began to let the client identify what kind of timeline they wanted to use: our provided schedule with established deadlines and a launch date, or a flexible schedule which moved at the client’s pace.

We call it ‘Track 1′ and ‘Track 2′

So now, at the beginning of each project the client chooses between two tracks. Track 1 is the AM Design timeline, ideal for the client because they have an established launch date. We also benefit because it allows us to firmly schedule out designers, developers and testing time. Track 2 is a phase-based timeline meaning that design, development, and testing all are on separate timelines that do not start until the previous phase is complete. With track 2, we simply go a phase at a time which allows both sides to take their time with each phase which reduces stress on their end and ours. Payment terms are arranged around the phases with Track 2 projects so that our time is covered which allows us to offer such flexibility.

Track 1 allows AM to create an accurate production schedule. Track 2 projects allow us to have flexible projects that we fit in around Track 1 projects.

There are clear benefits of both plans and we continue to have a lot of projects on both Tracks. No matter which track a client may choose, having the conversation with them up front helps them better understand how the website development process works which is always a good thing for the overall relationship. It also helps them feel in control of establishing expectations. Once they commit to a timeline, then we try to make it very clear as to what items will be needed from them and when, and they know that they will have to plan and get to work to get content to us in time to meet their deadlines.