How to handle projects that are medium to large as freelancer

Question

Basically i am talking about projects like website development. Not only you have to do a lot but you have to do it in different mindsets. In a dream world you would have to do only one thing and than you can just take your sweet time doing it and perfecting it. But in reality you most of the time have to take on many roles for example...in developing web alone i have to

think of features, customers, trends, usability, aesthetics, flow of website. What would users want..what else to provide...what library to use to minimize work...are there any requirements of technical kind from client...

So how do i as new lone developer take on projects that are full.

(research>features>plans>technologicalResearch>Design>development>testing>marketing)

While it's unusual to be given this kind of work to a freelancer... i am interested in knowing because there are some personal projects that i want to do. And having ability to do these will also help take on bigger projects. Yes subcontracting is possible too.

Answer 1

As a solo freelancer, in order to take on larger projects, you will need to build a trusted team you can work with.

This will take time and effort.

One way to begin, is by joining and participating in local user groups, attend the workshops and social evenings. You will get to know other freelancers, what their strengths/weaknesses are.

Assume that if you are going after larger-scale contracts, you are also taking on some responsibilities, including

• Account Management / Project Management
• Requirements Analysis
• Quoting and setting Payment Milestones
• Ensuring your clients are happy and your designer/developers are happy

Consider where it leaves you if either a) the client doesn't pay, or b) your freelancers don't deliver as promised? This going to happen from time to time - how will you handle it?

Going after large-scale projects is doable as a solo-freelancer - but make sure you know what you are getting into when you are assembling and managing project teams.

When it works - it's a dream - and can be very profitable.

When things go south - look out - it can be a world of pain.

I worked for a web firm first, managing large scale projects - that gave me the experience to do it on my own.

If you don't have that experience, then be frank with with the freelance team you put together about your goals and ambitions - make sure they are the type of people you can rely on - and that they are willing to work with you to go after the 'big fish.'

It can be done! (But it's not without its risks).

Answer 2

In my experience, projects that in depth and involved are taken on by studios or agencies and companies looking for that scope of work are not looking for one individual unless that individual is perhaps a project manager, not web designer/developer.

Think of it as building a house. You don't hire the electrician to do everything. You hire the electrician to do the electrical work. If you are looking for a one-person contact, you hire a contractor who then manages other various specialty workers.

If you are seeking steps to project management, there are a great deal of reasources on the web already. There are books, blogs (2), and articles which all will help lead you in the proper direction. Ultimately it takes experience to find the workflow that makes sense to you and serves your desires the best.

Answer 3

One other thing that the other answers have not dealt with is how to handle time commitments. Large jobs, if you don't throttle them, can be very damaging to your business because they can take you out of circulation for a long time.

So in addition to building a trusted team you also need to make sure you have time to continue to be involved in all the things you do to build your business including taking on other jobs. This can require a larger trusted team too....