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Project Turn-around Time: What to Expect

Guest post by: Faith Seekings

Article Overview: The answer to ‘how long do projects take’ depends on the type of project and any unique elements – especially website design and development. The key is to discuss with your marketing firm, at the outset of a project, and make sure both sides agree to comfortable schedules. A one-year action plan can be a great tool for both sides.

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Project Turn-around Time: What to Expect

The answer to ‘how long do projects take’ depends on the type of project and any unique elements – especially website design and development. Your design/marketing firm should know from experience how long projects typically take, and lead the way. The key is to discuss it all at the outset of a project, and make sure both sides agree to comfortable schedules.


Generally...


Generally it takes 5-10 business days for logo, ad or web design concepts. We say 10–15 days for bigger projects (i.e. large brochures that require copywriting). For revisions (usually three rounds), depending on the size of the project, 2–5 business days.


Identify Deadlines


Certain projects have hard deadlines like an upcoming event, or a publication deadline. The first question should be ‘can the firm meet the deadline?’ If they can’t, you should discuss why. There’s a difference between other work commitments and it’s just not feasible due to the laws of science (plan b perhaps?).


If there is no hard deadline, we recommend creating one. By telling your firm ‘no rush’, they will naturally back-burner it for the hard deadlines and so will you. Meanwhile, the project loses momentum, the creative brief is forgotten and neither side gets what they need.


Critical Path


Once the due date is determined, work backwards and set all main milestones. How long does the printer need? How many people need to test the website client-side? What’s a reasonable amount of time to give them to provide feedback and have it implemented?Try to give a little buffer. Then work backwards for rounds of revisions and feedback, meeting on the other end how long the firm needs to generate creative concepts.


You Have Deadlines Too


The timeline needs to include when the firm needs to hear back from you or receive materials in order to meet their deadlines. Know when your attention is needed, how much, and schedule it in. A website for example, requires time to gather information, and test it before launch. Picking an ad layout may seem simpler, but if you need input from hard-to-pin-down higher-ups or a committee, that needs to be worked in.


The firm will ideally have a process for keeping track of timelines and holding you accountable. If not, things can fall through the cracks.


Occasionally timing just won’t allow, but something can be done. For example, instead of rushing a branding process, print a small run of business cards for clients use. Can the website be up in a reduced form and called a ‘soft-launch’?


We work really hard to meet clients’ deadlines and have produced great creative under pressure. However, we do a better job when not rushed, and build much better Rapport for them and for us.


A one-year action plan can be a great tool for both sides.

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Home > Marketing > Faith Seekings > Project Turnaround Time What to Expect >
Article Tags: amount of time, brochures, business days, creative brief, critical path, design marketing, due date, laws of science, marketing firm, milestones, momentum, outset, plan b, printer need, publication deadline, revisions, science plan, web design concepts, website design and development, work commitments

About the Author: Faith Seekings
RSS for Faith's articles - Visit Faith's website

Faith Seekings is the President and Creative Director of Rapport Communications & Design Inc in Toronto. Rapport helps boutique and mid-sized B2B companies identify what makes them unique then creates the brand and marketing tools they require to build rapport – and business – with the customers they want.

We're an all-inclusive marketing, design and web firm; that means full service, from strategy, brand development, excellent design, to final production – printing or web development.

Contact me any time with questions, or to book a Rapport Marketing Map session.

Click here to visit Faith's website
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More from Faith Seekings
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When is the Right Time to Rebrand
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