I've worked with quite a lot of small software development projects,
and now am tackling a larger one.
With small projects, getting features implemented is usually not a big
deal. We normally prototype the development, and I pay a little extra.
We have a good requirements doc for our larger project. It is not
*fully* complete, nor is it expected to be. But the intent is very
clearly conveyed.
How do we make sure that in the flat rate deal we make with our
development team, that they implement the project's intent as
described in the requirements, without trying to charge extra?
Example:
Requirements specify a report which includes URL's. The URL's turn
out to be too wide for the browser screen to display. I request them
to be truncated or wrapped in some manner - and am charged for
additional work.
I don't believe it is fair to pay for additional work in this
instance, and that it is up to the developer to fairly implement the
original intent of the report, and make it work properly.
How do we make sure this is fair to both sides? |
Request for Question Clarification by
aceresearcher-ga
on
03 May 2004 11:32 PDT
As a Computer Applications Systems Analyst and Programmer for many
years, I'm familiar with techniques designed to avoid what is known as
"scope creep" (extensions to or changes in original design
specifications), as well as in nailing down a good original spec so
that scope creep -- and additional programming charges -- are kept to
an absolute minimum.
However, from the wording of your Question, I'm wondering if you are
more interested in **legal** ways of preventing a software developer
from claiming that what you need was not included as part of your
original spec. If that's the case, then I would defer to one of our
legal experts to assist you.
If you would be willing to post a Clarification here stating the
desired direction of your Answer, it will be possible for Researchers
to provide you with exactly what you need.
An additional aspect that you should clarify is who from your
organization works with the software developer to design the project
specifications: what is their title and experience background?
Thanks,
aceresearcher
|
