Monday Oct 03, 2022

26. Preventing Budget and Timeline Blowouts

Budget and timeline blowouts are a reality for any creative business at one time or another.

But they shouldn’t be the norm.

I think the main reason they happen is because the stakeholders involved didn’t have realistic expectations in the first place.

In this episode of The C Word Podcast, I share my key tips for stopping or minimising budget and timeline blowouts:

✨Detailed scope
– Be clear on the deliverables and what is and isn’t included

✨Clear process
- Ensure everyone understands the full extent of what’s involved

✨Step out every stage in detail
- If it’s too broad you’ll overlook stages that take time

✨Agree the timelines
- Don’t be tempted to truncate or shorten timeframes and be realistic about how long things take

✨Lock it in
- Set aside meetings and time to do the work up front

✨Enough time for review, feedback and revisions
- Be clear on when the client will get work for review and when they need to respond with feedback

✨Communicate well and often with your client
- Give regular updates
- Let them know straightaway if something is out of scope or if there are potential delays

✨Penalties for delays
- This can be a good motivator to keep your client on track
- Give the client plenty of warning and make it clear up front, the relationship is important

✨Hold yourself accountable
- Stick to the timeline
- Keep your energy up to maintain the momentum

And don't forget doors are currently open for my Creative Value Incubator. This is Tthe 8 week program specifically for creatives in business who want to communicate their value, be valued and be perceived as valuable >>> bechughes.com/creative-business-incubator