TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:RE: How to handle when the scope changes? From:"Sharon Burton-Hardin" <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 16 May 2003 09:17:42 -0700
I assume that you have a Change Order form in your bag? I have them
squirreled away in about 10 places. Don't even go on vacation without them.
If the scope has changed - assuming that you can document the original scope
clearly - then you need to complete a Change Order so they can sign it. In
that order, you specify the changes, duration, and cost. If they do not wish
to sign it, then the old scope and cost stands.
Regardless of what you charge or did not charge for this project. It is up
to you to decide the cost for the out of scope changes and this is a point
of negotiation for both of you.
What you CANNOT do is NOT tell them that the scope has changed and then bill
them later for the changes. I am being sued right now by a subcontractor who
is in that situation. I say the scope did not change, She says it did, but
she never mentioned the change. At any time. She just did the work - that I
say was in scope and I can document it was in scope - and then sent me a
bill for additional work after the project was complete and delivered. She
will lose but I have to assemble a case book, dress in a suit, and spend the
day in court.
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-71429 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-71429 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com]On Behalf Of Kirsten
Zerbinis
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 8:41 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: How to handle when the scope changes?
I am a freelance tech writer, working as the sole writer on an 8-week
project. I accepted the contract I was offered at the low end of my
pay range, with the caveat that I would do only the one contract for
this customer at that rate. The next job, if they offered it to me,
would be at a higher rate. I gave reasons (typical salary range for
this position in this area) why this was so, and while they didn't
agree to it, they didn't disagree. (I didn't really make it sound like
a question.)
Anyway, the twist is this. Now, two weeks into my eight-week project,
they are talking about increasing the scope, adding a third piece of
software to the pile of things to be documented within 8 weeks. They
would make one of their employees available to me to help me accomplish
the work within the timeframe.
I would feel taken advantage of if I do the new job at the same rate as
the old job. However, the old job isn't up yet. Also, I don't think I
could separate work on one from work on the other, so billing
separately isn't an option. Have you come across this situation? How
do you generally handle a change of scope like this?
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
