What to expect when you start a project with Red Squirrel
Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash
Starting a project with a new software development consultancy is exciting, but also nerve wracking. We all get nervous when we don’t know what to expect. At Red Squirrel, we think it’s crucial to set expectations to ensure a seamless collaboration. In this blog post, we’ll explain what new clients should expect when they work with Red Squirrel, and also what we will expect from you.
What you can expect from us
Open communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful client-consultancy relationship. We prioritize open lines of communication from the very beginning. We typically start with a kickoff meeting to introduce the team and learn more about you and your project.
From there we tend to move the communication to a shared channel on Slack. Especially at the beginning of projects, we encourage all Squirrels to post daily morning and end of day standups in Slack. These posts often replace daily stand-up meetings. Since we have a globally-distributed team, sharing an update on Slack allows for asynchronous work. It also provides a written record that the team can refer back to — and an opportunity for sharing fun emojis and GIFs.
We’re happy to work in any communication or project management system your team prefers as well, such as Jira or Github. Our goal is to never leave you wondering, “What are they working on today?”
We understand that clear and transparent dialogue fosters trust, ensures alignment, and paves the way for a smooth project journey.
Honesty
One of our values at Red Squirrel is Vulnerability. Being honest with a client, especially when asking a question that you “should know the answer to” or pointing out a problem, requires vulnerability.
It is easier to not say anything. It’s always easier to “figure it out” or assume “that’s the client’s problem.” But we will be honest in all our interactions with you, including when we have to share the hard truth or admit when we don’t know something. Honesty is the foundation of trust, and we strive to build a long-lasting partnership based on mutual respect and reliability.
We strive to provide accurate estimates, realistic timelines, and detailed project plans. But when any unexpected challenges or constraints arise, we will communicate them openly, offering viable solutions and alternatives. Our goal is to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the project's progress, any potential hurdles, and the steps we are taking to overcome them.
Support and guidance
We don’t want to be the kind of team that takes orders when we don’t believe in them. We are great at what we do, and have worked with a wide variety of clients. We will always bring that expertise to the table and make recommendations or provide guidance.
See number 2: honesty. We believe that our role is to help your team create the best product. Our team is here to address any concerns, answer your questions, and provide support whenever needed.
What we expect from you
Open communication
Honesty
Support and guidance
Notice a trend? We live by the Golden Rule. We will communicate clearly, be honest, and provide support and guidance. We expect you to do the same.
The most successful projects are two-way streets. We bring our best to you, and you bring your best to us.
Looking for the best? Let’s chat.