Part 1 of this two-part resource management series offered half of our 10 project management tips for developing effective vendor relations with creatives. Tips included planning ahead, outlining project goals and establishing budgets. Part 2 offers 5 additional project management tips for successful vendor relations with contract designers. Learn how to maximize your design and creative resources to ensure more effective project management.
6. Develop a schedule of project deadlines.
An overall schedule of project concept, proofing, production and launch deadlines is extremely helpful in managing vendor relations with creatives. When deadlines are clear from the beginning of the process, contract designers can effectively manage any subcontract vendor relations effectively. A full project schedule can also help project managers line up other staff or resources needed to complete client tasks, ensuring that both project managers and creatives have everything they need to keep the project on schedule.
7. Prepare complete project prospectuses.
A hallmark of resource management and a sure-fire way to maintain positive vendor relations with creatives is to put it in writing. While conversations are necessary and very effective in producing ideas, specific project nuances and requirements can easily get lost in how various stakeholders remember a verbal exchange. Once creative brainstorming sessions are complete and goals and plans of action are established, develop a thorough project prospectus that can keep both the project management and creative teams on the same page.
8. Provide well-organized content information.
One project task that most often falls to the client during project management is providing specific content necessary for design projects. Learn about your contract designer's writing and editing skills during the interview process and establish a clear division of tasks at the beginning of the project. Request target word counts for multi-page design projects to minimize time spent editing. Provide content in the form and level of completion agreed upon and be sure it is delivered in a clear and organized manner. Be open to suggestions from contract designers for how verbiage can be edited for marketing purposes.
9. Proofread and evaluate solutions carefully.
Although it is a standard practice for contract designers to thoroughly proofread projects prior to providing mock-ups for clients, it is still the client's ultimate responsibility to ensure information is correct. Don't rush through the process. Build proofing time into your overall project schedule. Effective resource management requires project managers, as the client, to take responsibility for the accuracy of the design solutions provided by creatives during the proofing phase. Beyond proofreading text, review mock-ups from contract designers against the project prospectus and production estimates provided. If significant changes have been made to specifications, be sure to request updated production costs.
10. Make it a priority to follow-up.
Avoid the costly consequences of miscommunication by staying in close contact with your contract designers and creative professionals throughout each stage of project management. Be respectful, non-confrontational but firm in your inquiries about deadlines and project status reports. Review and offer feedback in a timely manner and in writing. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone if email communication is unclear. Effective and consistent communication between project managers and contract designers will produce not only effective creative vendor relations, but also effective projects.