[consulting] "How to write a RFP"

[Boris Mann]

On 1/17/07, Gerhard Killesreiter <gerhard at killesreiter.de> wrote:

> You know I don't have one. :p

I suspected, but I didn't know. I know this CMS platform that's pretty
good at building them.... (and you could link to it from your
drupal.org entry).

> Unfortunately, I've found it difficult to explain to people that they
> should pay for this. They tend to think that I should be willing to
> discuss their needs with them before getting a contract.

A couple of meetings to sense if engagement is going to work is fine.
Note: you don't get paid to write RFPs, but then they are generally
larger. Again, decide if you want to do this.

Clearly state to the client the process: we'll have some meetings, see
if there is a personal fit, then I'll make you a quote, and if there
aren't enough requirements, the first part of the quote -- or even a
separate contract -- will be XX hours of work with you on defining
them, including a requirements document as a deliverable.

> Yeah, but how do you explain to people that they should pay your time
> for doing this?
>
> People who want a website often are not familiar with how consulting works.

Then you should make a choice on the type of clients you are willing
to engage with. We've done some projects which are ONLY the
requirements/planning phase -- essentially giving the client an
implementation plan.

-- 
Boris Mann
Vancouver 778-896-2747
San Francisco 415-367-3595
Skype borismann
http://www.bryght.com