Managing a Large Project Opportunity in a Small Software Development Company
I manage a small software development company. A large client has approached us with a potential project that could significantly grow our business. However, our current team is small, and I’m worried about taking on a project of this size while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines for our existing clients.
What should I do? Please advise using 7SFS
Here’s how you can approach this opportunity using the 7 Steps Fulfilment System (7SFS):
1. Celebrate & Be Grateful
Acknowledge the Opportunity:
Celebrate the fact that a large client sees value in your company’s work and trusts you with a significant project. This opportunity could elevate your business and expand your portfolio.
Express Gratitude:
Be grateful for the growth potential and for having a skilled team capable of attracting big clients. Recognise that this is a pivotal moment for your company.
2. Align Your Fulfilment Vision
Reaffirm Your Company’s Vision:
Ensure that this project aligns with your long-term business goals. Clarify how taking on a large client fits into your overall growth strategy without compromising the service quality provided to your existing clients.
Set Clear Project Goals:
Establish realistic goals for managing this large project. Consider milestones, timelines, and resource allocation to ensure both existing and new client demands are met without compromising quality.
3. Know Your Win
Define Success:
Success here means delivering the project for the large client while maintaining high-quality standards and meeting existing clients' deadlines. It’s essential to manage both aspects effectively.
Track Key Metrics:
Identify success metrics such as client satisfaction, project delivery times, and team workload balance to monitor progress as the project moves forward.
4. Know Your Client's Win
Understand Both Clients’ Needs:
Your existing clients expect uninterrupted, high-quality service. The large client, meanwhile, requires you to deliver on a big project with excellence. Ensure that both receive the attention they deserve.
Set Expectations with the New Client:
Have an open conversation with the new client about what’s possible within the current team’s capacity. Be transparent about timelines and any potential adjustments that may be required to ensure quality.
5. Sign Win-Win Agreement or No Deal
Evaluate Resource Needs:
Consider whether you can handle this project with your current team or if you need additional resources, such as freelancers, contractors, or temporary staff, to meet the demand.
Negotiate Timelines and Scope:
Collaborate with the new client to ensure that the project scope is manageable within your team’s capacity. Negotiate realistic timelines and deliverables that align with your team’s current workload and abilities.
6. Deliver with Excellence
Maintain Quality Across All Projects:
Ensure that both your existing clients and the new client receive the high standard of work they expect. Implement processes that allow your team to deliver consistently on all projects.
Balance Workloads:
Distribute work effectively among your team members, using project management tools to ensure that no one is overburdened. Consider creating dedicated teams for different clients to ensure focus and efficiency.
7. Achieve with Joy
Celebrate the Success:
Once you start delivering milestones for both the large and existing clients, celebrate your team’s achievements. Recognise their hard work and how they’ve managed to handle both the new project and ongoing commitments.
Reflect and Grow:
After the project is completed or underway, reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. Use this experience to build more capacity for future growth, improving your resource management and client acquisition strategies for handling large projects.