Are we on the same page?
Why do website projects have such a high failure rate? There are many reasons, but the one I would like to focus on today, is the unsung hero of any project: The Specifications Writer.
Yes, the Spec Writer often doesn’t even exist in various web projects, or at least that role is oftentimes taken by someone who doesn’t have the foggiest idea of what they are doing. It baffles me sometimes to see some companies not properly utilize specifications writing.
The successful Spec Writer is truly a magic worker. This is the outfit by which all parties can come together and understand it in one language. Think of it like a reverse tower of Babel. Everyone, the client, salesperson, project manager, designer and programmer all speak different languages. The Spec Writer constructs a document that everyone can understand, that everyone can follow along with.
As I like to quote ever so often, if I had a dollar for every time a new client walks into my operation ranting about their previous developer, I’d probably have $112.59! I don’t think any web developer would set out to harm you, or cause your project to fail. I just think that most are not equipped to handle the larger projects.
Proper specification writing is the difference between when a client fires up their computer to look at their project and gasps in horror, or sings with delight. This is not too over the top, by the way - especially when you consider that said song-bird client has invested thousands upon thousands of their hard earned dollars to improve their business. After all, if a project you put $5,000 towards, mr. or mrs. small business owner, wouldn’t you want to cry too if what you paid for was NOT what you got?
In closing, I would like to post to you a very clever graphic I found on the Internet. Take a look!
Tags: specification writing, tanner creative, tanner jones, tannercreative, tannercreative.com, technical writing for website design and development, web design, website design, website tips, www.tannercreative.com
Website Design & Development