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.
>On another note: The client wants fixed bid, she wants
>time/materials bid. Thoughts/ammunition?
To me, this sounds as if the client is intentionally trying to
take advantage of a fledgling consultant. They intend to
overcharge her by billing her for "rentals" that are NEVER billed
to consultants, and now they're attempting to get her to cough
up a fixed bid, when the odds are 20:1 that she will underestimate
the size of the job.
While I generally work on a fixed-bid basis myself, I've been
doing project management forever, so I deserve it when I screw
up. But most people have NOT done much project management, and
are in no position to size a job with any great precision. Fixed-
bid jobs are a great way to lose your shirt unless you've been
paying careful attention to just how long similar jobs have
taken in the past.
-- Robert
--
Robert Plamondon, High-Tech Technical Writing, Inc.
36475 Norton Creek Road * Blodgett * Oregon * 97326
robert -at- plamondon -dot- com * (541) 453-5841 * Fax: (541) 453-4139 http://www.pioneer.net/~robertp
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