#SalesforcePartners are usually required to quote

#SalesforcePartners are usually required to quote against a set of requirements in a Statement of Work (SOW).

Sometimes the client gathers those requirements and asks for a quote. 😶

“Hey doctor. I have a pain-y chest. I think I need a new heart. How much will it cost to get me one? Preferably from a young virile gym bunny??”
😱

Nonononono. 🙅🏻‍♀️
If I was a doctor, I’d want to do my own tests and diagnosis before whipping out the scalpel, wouldn’t you?

So, in the #Salesforce world, requirements should be elicited by the business analysts or consultants during ‘Discovery’ which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of months, depending on size and complexity of the project.

It also depends on how you will be running that project.

Fixed Price (FP) ?
Time & Materials (T&M)?
Waterfall?
Agile?
Anywhere in between?

FP Waterfall projects traditionally have objectives that are very clear, and the requirements are unlikely to change (much) which dictates that requirements must be as detailed as possible, in order to uncover uncertainties and risks. 👀

However, the world is moving faster than ever, and those too slow to adapt will be disadvantaged. 😐

If the client knows ‘roughly’ where they want to get to, and are happy to ‘figure out the details’ along the way, a more iterative approach could be a better way to go.

Here, the requirements need not be as stringent, as things will definitely change during the journey.

Know what the client is expecting, and plan your discovery properly.
That is… unless you enjoy ‘character-building’ headaches😁.

#OnThePeiroll
#ProjectManagement