The client asks to use an unfamiliar technology, what should I do?

Vladimir Sokolovsky2010-09-06 13:44:29

Computer networks

Vladimir Sokolovsky, 2010-09-06 13:44:29

What would you advise to do if in development a client asks you to use a technology that you have not worked with before? Study the technology for yourself or include the study of the technology in the cost of the project?

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9 answer(s)

Flanker72, 2010-09-06
@Flanker72

Discuss with the client the very fact that such technology is not personally familiar to you. And there are already options. If you need to keep the client at any cost, you can offer him to implement an analogue based on the technology that you currently own. If the client is interested in your services, you can learn the technology quickly enough.
It is wrong to invest the cost of studying, since you are a specialist and a customer, which is why I turned to you. You study the technology yourself, leave the amount unchanged, but expand the project timeframe in proportion to the complexity of the technology.

dAverk, 2010-09-06
@dAverk

I would study for myself, then I can offer it to others, but I don’t think it’s right to take loot for something you don’t know.

Sergey Boldyrev, 2010-09-06
@o_0

It turns out that the client still pays for your training - only not with money, but with the time that you spend on learning new technology and correcting the jambs made due to inexperience (which, by the way, will need to be ironed out all).
Leave the amount unchanged - and, in my opinion, the ideal solution to this situation comes out.
In the end, this experience increases your professional weight, and ultimately, the cost of your services. I think we can only rejoice at such an opportunity.

StrangeAttractor, 2010-09-06
@StrangeAttractor

Google ;-) "Any whims for your money", imho. If it is clear that the technology is bad (outdated, inconvenient), you can try to dissuade if you support it later, but you need to offer an alternative on which you will do better, and briefly explain what's what.

Sergey, 2010-09-06
@sach

The main thing is to tell the truth right away. Then it will be easier. To say that you do not know the technology, would like to learn this technology, but, unfortunately, the cost of your training in this technology will be included in the total bill. Or that you do not want to learn a new technology and the result is therefore unpredictable.

mitnlag, 2010-09-06
@mitnlag

Steve McConnell handled this situation well. In short, convince them to do it the old way, but stable. The rake will still come out.

Robotex, 2010-09-06
@Robotex

In such cases, I always download the textbook and start teaching. And I immediately warn the client that it will be a little longer.

char, 2010-09-06
@ char

It is better to immediately refuse and not take on such work. It is better to learn “on cats”, and not on a live client. It will be better for him and for you. If it is you as a specialist that is valuable to the client, then he will agree to the solutions you offer.
And you need to master new technologies in your free time.

JerryJJ, 2010-09-06
@JerryJJ

If you have warned the client that the technology is not familiar to you, the client has realized this and still wants to work with you, then you can safely ask for payment of training time - otherwise you will either work at a loss or, having poorly studied the technology, increase the possibility of errors, and this is direct or indirect damage to the client. He can avoid this damage by paying for your work on the study of technology.