Revisions: 5 ways to reduce it in your projects

Long search for references, hours and hours for the construction of an innovative and functional project, high expectations and a lot of anxiety for the moment of the presentation … And then, an unexpected feedback: the client asked for a revision. If you provide design services, you’ve probably experienced similar situations, haven’t you?

The Revision, or rework, is one of the most feared words in designers’ vocabulary – and it is no wonder. After all, having to redo a job that you have dedicated yourself to is really frustrating. And, more than an unpleasant situation, revisions can generate several losses, both for the designer and for the client.

Why revisions aren’t positives

When a customer requests a revision, it means that the project, for some reason, did not meet what was expected. Therefore, the designer will need to make changes to the submitted proposal, to fit the specifications and the customer’s taste.

But whether to make small adjustments or to start work from scratch, revisions can be harmful to the creative process and the relationship between the designer and the client, and it contributes to the consuming more time and resources than expected.

On the other hand, designers will have to dedicate even more efforts to modify a work that was already considered ready. This means that there will be a loss in the team’s productivity and, consequently, a reduction in profit.

But how to avoid revisions?

Designers who have been on the market for some time, know that the much-feared rework is more common than most people realize. But when changes are requested in the same project, or the problem becomes frequent in different jobs, it is necessary to make an in-depth analysis of the creative process. The goal is to identify actions that can minimize the amount of revisions after a job is delivered. To help you with this task, we’ve made a list of some of the most important:

1. Invest in communication

Failed communication is one of the biggest villains of “perfect delivery”, so be sure to do a good briefing during the meeting with the customer. To do this, heed his request and try to fully understand his preferences.

Avoid being uncompromising to the customer suggestions when it doesn’t make sense to you. After all, he knows his own business like no one else. If you disagree with the potential of any of these ideas, try to come to terms that serve both parties.

2. Make the information very clear

In some moments, in the enthusiasm of closing a project, some essential information about the production and delivery of the project may go unnoticed. Therefore, put all the job specifications in the contract and allow the customer to clear up any doubts. In addition, set a maximum number of revisions, so that they do not spend much of your work effort.

3. Divide it into steps

To ensure that a project is executed in the best possible way, define its scope and try to divide it into phases. Thus, you will have more control over everything that needs to be done and will be able to better optimize the processes.

For those who work with a team, establishing steps to perform the service is also important because it helps to understand how long it will take for each phase and how the demand will be divided between the team members.

4. Keep the customer updated

In many cases of rework, the designer’s failure is to not let the client be aware during the project’s progress. This is because he usually does not know how each process works and may disagree with the potential of deliveries. Therefore, try to keep your client up to date with everything that is being done, sending reports on each stage.

5. Bet on automation

To ensure that all stages of the production process are being completed and delivered on time, it is necessary to create an organization that is functional for the entire team. For this reason, investing in a project management platform – which automates processes, allowing you to track deliveries more accurately – can be a great choice.

Revisions are common in the reality of designers – and it is virtually impossible to extinguish it. But if rework orders have become frequent, take advantage of our tips to analyze your projects and find out which ones can help you minimize this problem. Want to have access to more design practices? So keep following us here and follow our social networks: Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!