Good, Fast And Cheap? The Project Triangle
There are three sides of the project triangle, so essentially three things to consider – Good, Fast, and Cheap – and these three sides are things that every client wants when we go to see them about building their new website or app.
We are constantly asked for fabulous websites/apps, delivered on time at a cheap (cost effective) price. But is the old maximin that you can only have 2 of the 3 actually true?
- So, you want your website/app to be Good: Your app or website must be ‘done’ and ‘done right’. But ‘done right’ takes a little time and maybe isn’t quite so ‘cheap’.
Maybe, it took a little longer or was a little more expensive, but those costs and that time will pay off in the long run. You’ve now got a flexible, future proofed, easier to update and upgrade site. If you’re wondering why there is a cost difference in website/app quotes for the same project, it’s probably because one agency will just do it, and the more expensive agency will do it right.
- So, you want your website/app Fast: Your project is done to meet a tight deadline. It could mean some corners are cut to meet your fast deadline. Again, it might be a little more expensive, and take a little longer but give a reasonable time frame and you’ll have a solid project delivered in a very timely fashion.
- You want your website/app Cheap: Let’s say cost-effective here. Either the agency doesn’t feel they should be charging pro-rates, or a generous agency is giving you a discount. It could also mean taking some liberties here to cut down on build, testing or functionality development time – and for you, cost.
Maybe it won’t work exactly as you’d like, but it works just fine and you got a price on it… but maybe it won’t work and maybe that cheap quote turns into a non-usable site/app.
Now let’s look at why only two of the three can be picked:
Good and Fast means it’s not going to be cheap. Your project is made the priority, which means others are put on hold or not accepted. Longer hours are put in, and the costs add up. The developer will then need to offset those costs. Bottom line: You will have a project that’s done right in a timely fashion, but it probably cost you a lot more than if it was just ‘Good’ or just ‘Fast’.
Good and Cheap means it isn’t going to be fast. Just like the developer putting off projects for a higher paying one that has opted for ‘good and fast’. Good and cheap means when the developer has a free moment, he will take the time needed to make it good while keeping costs down. But keep in mind, it may be several months before getting around to it, and he may stop and start based on how much work is rolling in. Bottom line: You will have a great project, but what you didn’t spend in money, you spent in time.
Fast and Cheap means it isn’t going to be good. Sometimes the project dictates that it needs to be done quickly and ‘on the cheap’. You need to meet that tight deadline on a tight budget, and the developer just needs to get it done and let’s be honest, it will get done and maybe you will be done too.
The proper planning wouldn’t have gone into it, and a lot of corners will have been cut. Bottom line: You’re going to get a final product, but it will be bad. It will be the bare minimum, and future work on it will be a nightmare.
As a Marketing Director of an agency, I’d urge you to choose one of the three, Good and Fast.
If I was a client, I would probably pick Good and Cheap, but that’s assuming there is no tight deadline.
Ideally, you should pick one to get something worthwhile that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If that’s the case, no matter what side of the fence I’m on, I’d always pick Good in my equation. A good website or app project will speak volumes for what you stand for and how you want to be seen.
Remember, especially with websites and apps, these projects are an extension of your storefront. If it’s not good, your customers/user will know.
Spending a little more to get a quality product isn’t a bad thing, especially for your business. In the long run, the quality will far outweigh the cost, whether it be due to the mileage you get out of it, the reduced cost in bug fixes, or the less time it takes to update upgrade and develop.
