"rich" <no RemoveThis @email.please> wrote in message news:f24cb$4425a77c$a227322c$8410@ALLTEL.NET...
> Charles Calvert wrote:
>> Do you know anyone else who does that kind of contracting? Do you
>> have any prospective clients who want it?
>
> No, and no. I sure would like to find one or more of either.
>
>> The real problem with this kind of switch if finding programmers to
>> work as subs or employees and whose work meets your standards. If you
>> have built a reputation based on your own coding skills, you don't
>> want to blow it by subbing out to people whose work is inferior.
>
> I really don't think I am going to limit it to just programming projects. I think I'm going to take a 'business systems as
> a whole' type of approach. I started in the computer field doing hardware and software installation, troubleshooting, and
> repair.
>
> What I want to do is go in and help identify needs and wants. Then come up with the solution including requirements
> definition, system architecture, and design. After that hire contractors to perform the work or let the company hire them
> and I'll act as project manager until completion. Of course I will always be willing to help any way I can on smaller
> projects.
The most scrutinized aspect of such a position is the amount of money you
make compared to the rest of the project team. Finding a fair and disclosed
way of valuating (billing) for your part in the project can be tricky. There's
a range of possibilities but the end to stay away from is being nothing more
than a broker skimming money off the top. I'd let the team and the client
how much of the billing goes to the GC. Project management is a valid role of
course on a project, but it should be itemized just like any other role
(developer etc). The projects have to be fairly large before a "real" PM is
required (as in PMP) so you may be hard pressed to justify it on smaller
projects.
The other high-level role may be something like "lead architect".
But of course, that's not a full time job on a project so you'd
have to be doing that across many projects to get the high rate doing that.
Of course you may consider fixed-bidding that portion and "charge what
the market will bare" for it, but I think most buyers are onto that broker-like
M.O. If one was really that good at architecting solutions, he/she should be
able to pretty much shrink-wrap it and sell it in volume rather than low volume
at a high price. Or at least come in with a bunch of reusable pieces already
ready to use and the pieces/architecture/solution proven on other projects
already (low client risk).
You have to consider things like the above if you want to be a GC with the
highest level of integrity rather than a broker. It's way to easy to hang out a
shingle, be a staffing agency, but market as if a real engineering company.
I think those that have their own employees with longevity in the solutions
and business are more respected than those companies that gather up
staff as needed, basically playing lotto ticket with them.
Tony
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Just kidding!!! (Lighten up).