March 8, 2020 — In this session, attendees will learn how padding an estimate to cover “unknowns” can actually hurt their business and an alternative that is a better way of managing and measuring change. We will also walk through the steps for estimating a project with attendee input.

Presentation Slides »

February 23, 2020

August 5, 2019 — There is a lot of talk today in the WordPress world about using a content-first approach to design. And, while that is one reason to use a content-first approach, it is not really the most compelling reason. In this session I will share how to implement a content-first website development approach that prevents project delays, increases project productivity, and thereby increases your overall project return on investment.

Takeaways:

How to structure a project to prevent the client from holding it hostage over content.
The 5 Steps of Content Collection
6 Content-First Best Practices

Presentation Slides »

June 25, 2019 — It is well known in the software and website development world that scope creep is the primary cause of projects running over time and budget. At the very least, uncontrolled scope creep will impact your project profit margin as you try and accommodate both legitimate and impractical client requests for change.

In this presentation, we will discuss how to minimize scope creep by acknowledging and planning for change instead of penalizing the client for it. We will cover the elements of a good change control plan and how acknowledging change up front can actually set you ahead of your competition and get you more clients.

Attendees will learn how to craft a good change control plan, how to educate the client regarding change, and how to use the change control plan as a selling feature. Attendees will leave with a sample written change control plan they can take and modify to meet their specific needs.

May 21, 2019 — Let’s face it, the technical solution from one WordPress provider is probably going to look a lot like the next one. There will be a theme, plugins, maybe some custom css or a little coding – but generally, the proposed solutions will be similar. So how do you set yourself above your competition when your technical skills and solution are fairly equal?

What if you were able to tell your client that:
– you have a way of estimating the project so that there are NO surprises along the way
– you have a way to plan for and manage change that does not include an arbitrary “pad” amount added to the estimate
– you have a way of defining the website and gathering the content that reduces the chance for scope creep
– you have a way to ensure that the project gets completed on time and within budget

In this presentation, I will show attendees how to craft these sections of of their project management methodology and use it as a unique value proposition when presenting to a client.

January 10, 2019 — This session will provide actionable steps for implementing some proven (and easy) project management techniques to stop the dreaded “scope creep” that so many WordPress practitioners struggle with when providing services for others.

Takeaways:

The 6 Principles of Productivity Management You Knew and Then Forgot
What to Put in the Contract so You Get Paid for Change
How to Effectively Manage Change

Presentation Slides »