TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Contracting moral dilemma From:The Tech Writer <techwrtr -at- CRL -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:03:09 -0800
I have successfully bid on a fixed-price contract. I signed the contract
yesterday, and will receive the first payment today. I started working
on the files last night, and realized that there really is a lot less
text than I was thinking when I bid the contract (a non-professional
actually used sufficient white space!).
My potential dilemma is: what if I spend a lot less hours on the project
than I calculated for my bid? It is a fixed bid, but I still based it on
how many hours I thought it would take. If I go over the amount of time I
estimated, I certainly wouldn't expect to be paid more...but should I
return whatever portion that I didn't work for?
Another contract will follow this one. Should I just adjust the other
contract to offset any unworked-for income on this one?
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
