Comments on: The Most Expensive Question http://technosailor.com/2010/03/04/the-most-expensive-question/ Business and Technology with Common Sense Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:20:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4-alpha-19904 By: Luke http://technosailor.com/2010/03/04/the-most-expensive-question/comment-page-1/#comment-48337 Luke Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:05:09 +0000 http://technosailor.com/?p=8082#comment-48337 The issue in my line of work is that clients often come with some intended solution in the head of how they see things going, and with my expertise I can envision a much more effective solution. Or for instance they fail to see some obvious extension or addition to the project that would add considerable gain for little cost. Because of this I think it the consultants responsibility to pose the "what if" questions. The issue in my line of work is that clients often come with some intended solution in the head of how they see things going, and with my expertise I can envision a much more effective solution. Or for instance they fail to see some obvious extension or addition to the project that would add considerable gain for little cost. Because of this I think it the consultants responsibility to pose the “what if” questions.

]]> By: teacher http://technosailor.com/2010/03/04/the-most-expensive-question/comment-page-1/#comment-48336 teacher Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:27:38 +0000 http://technosailor.com/?p=8082#comment-48336 That is actually a very funny, but true post. What do you recommend? Hmm, let me see. You can do this and this and this and it will cost you this plus this plus this. Our government seems to understand and encourage this practice a lot. Great post! That is actually a very funny, but true post. What do you recommend? Hmm, let me see. You can do this and this and this and it will cost you this plus this plus this. Our government seems to understand and encourage this practice a lot. Great post!

]]> By: Rebecca http://technosailor.com/2010/03/04/the-most-expensive-question/comment-page-1/#comment-48335 Rebecca Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:32:29 +0000 http://technosailor.com/?p=8082#comment-48335 Very good article. I've found that for those clients who are unsure of what the want that learning the general process flow of their company helps develop a scope that is both accurate and less costly. This is not the right approach for every client but for some it is perfect. It's good that you state clearly the scope development is billable. I know with our scopes, as with any good scope, the potential client with a bit of know how could take it and run on their own or give it to another company and say "I want this". Very good article. I’ve found that for those clients who are unsure of what the want that learning the general process flow of their company helps develop a scope that is both accurate and less costly. This is not the right approach for every client but for some it is perfect.
It’s good that you state clearly the scope development is billable. I know with our scopes, as with any good scope, the potential client with a bit of know how could take it and run on their own or give it to another company and say “I want this”.

]]> By: Scott Ellis http://technosailor.com/2010/03/04/the-most-expensive-question/comment-page-1/#comment-48334 Scott Ellis Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:53:38 +0000 http://technosailor.com/?p=8082#comment-48334 Aaron, This is sound advice across the board. The problem a lot of clients run into is that they don't even know what the options are or what's possible. A little research and organization by the client goes a long way toward saving them a lot of money and would keep then from getting sold things they don't need. I frequently give my clients options, explain the benefits and then try to help them understand whether or not they actually need it. Better to spend a few hours of my [billable] time figuring out if you need something than a few days of my billable time only to find out you don't. Almost makes me think there is a market for "pre-consulting" to help people figure that out but that starts to sound like glorified project management (uh). Aaron, This is sound advice across the board. The problem a lot of clients run into is that they don’t even know what the options are or what’s possible. A little research and organization by the client goes a long way toward saving them a lot of money and would keep then from getting sold things they don’t need.

I frequently give my clients options, explain the benefits and then try to help them understand whether or not they actually need it. Better to spend a few hours of my [billable] time figuring out if you need something than a few days of my billable time only to find out you don’t.

Almost makes me think there is a market for “pre-consulting” to help people figure that out but that starts to sound like glorified project management (uh).

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