Table of Contents
Consultancy
- consultancy and development regarding
- software development
- device development
- electronic circuit design and development
for industries and universities.
The following points would need to be discussed and I will walk you through it step by step.
It is also important to understand the difference between a senior cum experienced consultant as compared to a regular person who claims to be able to complete the job. Probably I could explain in more detail in a separate article but the main difference would be on how professionally the job is done and completed. Most of the time, as end-users you wouldn't be able to see the quality of the product because the quality of technology related products such as software and electronics are hidden deep inside a product.
1.0 Privacy
Your privacy will be protected via a Non-disclosure agreement which will be signed to protect both parties from disclosure of information discussed during the project.
2.0 Project details
Usually the project would require a proposal to be prepared which would outline in detail the job scope. This would require some effort and would probably take between 1 month (for small projects) up to a year (for long term projects).
Deliverables would also be discussed here. Deliverables are a checklist of items or modules which would be delivered at the end of the project. Usually it is best practise to make sure all parties are clear on what you want the end product to be. Sometimes the end product may not be do-able because of the limitation of budget or technology limitation etc.
2.1 Principles
It is important to highlight here that in order for a project to be carried out in a professional manner, it would require to abide by certain principles and ethics. It would be wise to also include environmental aspects, sustainable development and future generation support into a project design from day one. Ethics would be a difficult but important discussion. A project should abide by the 3 principles as outlined in the Belmont Report.
3.0 Costing
The costing would be discussed and the amount of sub-contractors appointed would depend on the budget. The main consultant would supervise all manpower and resources. A project's speed of completion and use of special material such as electronics would be depended on the budget. The budget would not affect the quality of a project.
4.0 Duration of project
A short term project could be completed in 3 months up to 6 months.
A long term project would require 1 year up to 5 years. This would require detailed planning and allocation of additional manpower/ contract staffs.
Depending on budget, a long term project may be completed within a short period. This is done by increasing manpower and purchasing other resources such as computers and servers. Sometimes clients request that certain projects have to be completed within a set dateline.
5.0 Contract
Having completed the above discussion, we would then proceed to prepare and sign a contract agreement. There are 2 options available for this contract: which would either be
- a contract prepared by a legal team (involves additional cost) or
- a standard contract prepared using ready made templates (at no additional cost).
Upon signing of the contract, the project would then commence based on the agreed start date and schedule.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss further about each step as outlined above.