As the owner of a web design agency, there’s nothing more satisfying than wrapping up a successful project. But before you pop the champagne and pat yourself on the back, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate how the project went. Did you meet your financial goals? Was the creative output up to par? And most importantly, did you deliver the project on time and within budget? These are all questions that you and your team should be asking yourselves during the post-project debrief.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. The debrief process sounds like a drag. But trust me, it’s essential for improving your agency’s workflow management and ensuring that you deliver even better results on future projects. Plus, it’s a chance to reflect on all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the project and celebrate your successes.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the top 5 metrics that should be considered during the post-project debrief:
1. Financial Performance
Let’s start with the obvious one: financial performance. As much as we’d all like to believe that our creative brilliance is enough to sustain our agency, the truth is that we need to make money to keep the lights on. During the debrief, take a close look at the project’s profitability. Did you hit your level of effort targets? Were there any unexpected situations that ate into your profit margins? Maybe you way underbid or over bid what you thought a deliverable or task might take. What can be learned from that? How does it affect your next go at an estimate for the next client? Understanding the financial side of things is key to running a successful agency.
But don’t get too bogged down in the numbers. As the great philosopher Kanye West once said, “having money isn’t everything, not having it is.” Remember that profitability is just one aspect of the project’s success, and it’s not the be-all and end-all.
2. Creative Output
Now let’s talk about the fun stuff: creative output. As a web design agency, your bread and butter is producing visually stunning, highly performing and user-friendly websites that work on any device. During the debrief, take a step back and evaluate the quality of your work. Did you meet the client’s expectations? Were there any areas where you could have pushed the boundaries even further? And most importantly, did you enjoy the creative process?
It’s important to strike a balance between meeting the client’s needs and fulfilling your creative potential. As the legendary designer Paul Rand once said, “Don’t try to be original, just try to be good.” Don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks, but always keep the end user in mind.
3. Deployment
Ah, deployment. The bane of every web designer’s existence. No matter how beautifully crafted your website is, if it’s not deployed correctly, it might as well not exist. During the debrief, take a hard look at the deployment process. Did you hit your deadlines? Were there any unexpected hiccups that delayed the launch? Did you have a solid plan in place for testing and bug fixes?
Deployment is often the most stressful part of the project, but it’s also the most crucial. Make sure that you have a robust workflow management system in place to ensure that everything runs smoothly. And always remember: the client doesn’t care how the sausage is made, they just want a delicious sausage at the end of it all.
4. Client Satisfaction
At the end of the day, the client’s satisfaction should be your top priority. During the debrief, take a close look at how the client perceived the project. Did they feel that their needs were met? Were there any areas where they were less than satisfied? And most importantly, would they work with your agency again in the future?
Client satisfaction is the cornerstone of any successful agency. Make sure that you’re always communicating effectively with your clients and taking their feedback into consideration. And if all else fails, just remember the wise words of Parks and Recreation’s Ron Swanson: “Never half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing.”
5. Workflow Management
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about workflow management. This is the linchpin that ties all the other metrics together. Without a solid workflow management system in place (hint hint… Net Net!), you’ll struggle to meet your financial goals, produce high-quality creative work, deploy effectively, and satisfy your clients.
During the debrief, take a close look at your agency’s workflow management system. Were there any bottlenecks that slowed down the project? Did you have a clear process for delegating tasks and tracking progress? Did you communicate effectively with your team throughout the project?
Workflow management isn’t the most glamorous aspect of running a web design agency, but it’s absolutely essential. By streamlining your processes and improving your communication, you’ll be able to deliver better results in less time, which means happier clients and more profitable projects.
The Bottom Line (your Net Net)
There you have it, the top 5 metrics to consider during your post-project debrief. Remember, the debrief process isn’t about assigning blame or pointing fingers. It’s about learning from your successes and failures and using that knowledge to improve your workflow management system.
As the owner of a web design agency, your ultimate goal is to deliver high-quality work that satisfies your clients and generates revenue for your business. By evaluating your financial performance, creative output, deployment process, client satisfaction, and workflow management, you’ll be well on your way to achieving that goal.
And remember, while the debrief process may be a bit tedious, it’s also a chance to celebrate all the hard work that went into the project. So grab a cold one, kick back, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve earned it.
