How Unclear Project Requirements Affect the Design Team's Performance
2 min to read
Unclear or vague project requirements can encourage creativity, but they can also hamper the work of designers and lead to delays in task completion, project failure, and customer dissatisfaction.
To avoid any problems, we first listen to what the client wants and what the results should be. Then we write down all these suggestions and requirements to get a clear idea of what we are supposed to do. After that, we discuss our ideas and plans with the client to make sure we understand each other.
Regular calls with the client or presentations in the loom to demonstrate intermediate results allow us to get feedback, avoid misunderstandings, and make sure that both parties are happy with the result.
Website functionality
Ask the client to describe what problem the website will address. What kind of functionality the client expects, for example, whether any specific pages are needed. Remember that clients are not designers, and the task of making a website for a real estate agent can either be a simple landing page or a fairly extensive website with a blog, ads, etc. So close cooperation between the client and the design team is vital.
Visual part
Find out whether the client has any preferences for colors or fonts, whether they have a logo and corporate identity, and ask about their existing websites and what they like about them.
Content
Discuss the content (texts, photos, etc.) or whether it should be created.
Target audience and customers
Find out for whom the website will be created, the target audience, and the potential customers.
Deadlines
Clarify whether there is a specific planned date for the website launch.
Decision-making
Discover who makes decisions on the website's design and functionality on the client's side — is it one person or a team?
When analyzing all the information about the project, we make an assessment, accounting for both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, as well as communication. We explain to the client that the project's success largely depends on their cooperation with us. If the client is late with feedback or fails to provide materials on time, project completion will take longer. All issues arising at this stage are also recorded in the table.
Understanding how much time and resources we need for a project is crucial. That's what helps us with planning. When we know what's ahead, we can better distribute tasks among the team. Moreover, when we understand how long a project will take, we can better prioritize and set realistic deadlines for completing tasks.
My first estimate deviated from reality by more than 50 hours, but things will get better with practice...
In an ideal world, these initial stages of work help you clearly understand what the client expects from you. You have answers to all your questions and clear deadlines for completing tasks. After that, you work according to your assessment plan and achieve success, feeling satisfied and rewarded for your work. 😊
How to address challenges that arise in the course of a project
If everything seemed clear at the previous stage, but you encounter problems during the work, you should react accordingly:
In general, unclear or vague project requirements can be an obstacle to the successful work of designers. However, by thoroughly understanding the client, clarifying the details, communicating regularly, and planning well, you can minimize these risks.
You must clearly understand the client's requirements and needs to ensure a successful project outcome. If it turns out that something is wrong, don't be afraid to contact the client with questions and make adjustments to the workflow. Doing so will help you avoid misunderstandings and complete the project successfully for both you and your client.
