[andy_adams]

> Don't charge money to scope projects

Would you recommend this even to a solo consultant, where scoping can take multiple days with the prospect of that time being lost? I'm in a situation where the potential client desperately needs a scope developed, but I don't feel I can risk doing it for free as it might take a week.

[tptacek]

Yes, I would especially recommend it to solo consultants.

[porker]

I'm struggling with this advice, and thinking either the projects you scoped, or the scope itself, are different to what I have in mind.

Can you expand on the type of projects you would do scoping for free for?

Last year I spent 2 and a bit weeks doing paid scoping, because the client knew where they wanted to get (replace a legacy system), didn't know how it worked, didn't know how their business process was structured. Short of a value-based pitch (which has failed with them in the past) the alternative was a guess.

Afterwards we agreed to go onto build the new system. [ There's a whole 'nother side story as I'd lost money on every project I'd done with them before, so this time opted for time & materials - which sort-of worked, but as their max budget was fixed, as was much of the scope, resulted in considerable stress. Still looking for the lesson to learn. ]

[csomar]

I think what Patrick is saying is that you are not certain you'll take the project. He is certain. That's why he doesn't charge for scope.

[tptacek]

I'm Thomas. :)