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How to manage new minor requirements from POTENTIAL CLIENT asking free of charge?

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Question added by Syed Mokhibuddin PMP , Application Support Manager , Saudi Reinsurance company
Date Posted: 2013/11/20
Khaled Alhassoun
by Khaled Alhassoun , Consulting Management - Senior manager , Price waterhouse Coopers

this is scope creep, always prevent to allow such creep. once you accept scope creep from one client you are setting a precedent for the rest, and although you may not have to physically hand over money as a result of scope creep, the effect is essentially the same. more time spent on a project than you anticipated puts you out of pocket.

Wasim Khalil Mustafa Ali PMP®
by Wasim Khalil Mustafa Ali PMP® , Consultant , Malomatia

There is a risk to give any free of charge services (requirements) to any clientm because there is a big chance they go with different vender (or company) so your company will lose the cost, time for those free requirements or services.

 

Also Without official Parches order (PO) this could be consider in some case as bribe and in case there PO and all PM process followed this will consider as Gold Plating.

 

 

SO ON ALL CASES free of charge services NOT RECOMMANDED 

Tanveer Ahmad Niazi
by Tanveer Ahmad Niazi , CEO (Self-employed) , Project Management Training & Consultant

Upon any of such request the very first thing is to document it (if asked verbal or by email) and never say “Yes” neither “No” without going back to your original scope, Time impact analysis, cost impact analysis and bring that in to your management’s knowledge.

Haitham Abu Sharif
by Haitham Abu Sharif , Marketing Coordinator , United Electronics

That is a good question, First for a client to expect any Free additions to a project during a world recession is a bit funny. 

 

But depending on the scope of the project and the total price of the project, there can always be some freedom to give50% discounts is more of a logical solution. but if the client insists on free features, its best to include upper managment with this decision making

Ahmad Salameh
by Ahmad Salameh , Deputy Resident Engineer- Technical and Quality Assurance Manager , Arabtech Jardaneh

Client always right. remember that its Minor Requirement.

do what is requested.

build a new channels.

you will not loose

Clodelio Delfino
by Clodelio Delfino , Managing Consultant , Startup Company

In software development from experience if the minor change doesn't take more than1 day to do the job, then it's free but the client has to fill up a change request form for documentation/history purposes. However, if the minor change would need several developers or more resources...then it's another story because sometimes those little things or minor change would impact the other part/s of the project and again might constitute to a lost time which is a lost money/investment.

Wayne Greiner (MBIFM)
by Wayne Greiner (MBIFM) , Engineering/ Facilities Manager. , Hertfordshire Constabulary

Apart from scope creep this can also be seen as added value or a test by your potential client to see if you are willing to be flexible, make it clear to the client that you are willing to be flexible within reason by allowing for added value but in future you might have to insist on a contract review.

Never lose a dollar to save a penny! If those small services will end up to a big earning then do it but make sure that client understand ur favor cuz that’s like saving in a credit account to use it in bottle necks and difficult situations and negotiations!

Mir Afzal Ali
by Mir Afzal Ali , Senior Accountant , Archen Engineering Consultants Co

Its unprofessional. Depends upon company policy and management approach. But initial small favours usually result in long term business relationships.

Its a market of FREEBIES now so every customer wants bit extra in every SALE done. Some companies cover it up with discounts like if they normally give1% they give2% discount (its just an example) to potential client or will give a better price in AMC that way customer feels happy and also makes them feel important. Its a common practice done everywhere.

Mohamed Sulaiman
by Mohamed Sulaiman , Site Project Manager , Al tabarak for Engineering & Contracting company

Sometime client has requrements without charge, but he cant requested it officiallly , it is verbal so you can manage it and take as reason to get benefit to your side by doing something same.

All that requirements you should inform top management in your company, because it is payed by your company.

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