Michael++

On Mon, Dec 14, 2015 at 9:07 AM, Michael Schofield <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Hi Dani,
>
> I see a lot of RFPs and while there's nothing all that weird (I guess)
> about sharing list-wide, I am going to attach a recent and par-for-course
> RFP individually, off list.  Most folks generate one from templates in a
> book or off example sites, so they all tend to look the same.
>
> I wanted to take the chance to reply to the crowd, though, because --
> well, there's no easy way to say this -- web designers worth their salt
> hate and often outright refuse to respond to RFPs. If you want to attract
> the right people to work with you on your project, I think it's important
> to take consider the advice big web-industry publications and thought
> leaders give:
>
> "Unsolictied RFPs: Just Say, No!" (
> http://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2009/04/unsolicited-rfps-just-say-no.php
> )
>
> "RFPs: The Least Creative Way to Hire People" (
> http://alistapart.com/article/rfps-the-least-creative-way-to-hire-people)
>
> "Saying No to RFPs" ( http://chrislema.com/saying-no-to-rfps/ )
>
> "Why we won't answer a website design RFP" (
> http://www.gorilla76.com/why-we-wont-answer-a-website-design-rfp/)
>
> "Why your website RFP is probably wrong" (
> https://boagworld.com/digital-strategy/website-rfp/)
>
> RFP Advice From the Front Lines (
> http://cognition.happycog.com/article/rfp-advice-from-the-front-lines) -
> spoiler: "Avoid All RFPs Don't Google RFP. Don't do a search."
>
> "Why you should never provide free design in an RFP response" (
> http://blog.invisionapp.com/free-design-rfp-response/)
>
> So, the reality is that your hands may be tied and as part of a larger
> organization you have to write an RFP. Read the above and write your RFP
> with that in mind. Let me summarize, though:
>
> 1.) Do not ask / solicit free design advice or uniquely detailed processes
> as part of your response requirements. Designers / agencies have processes
> and they can provide an overview, but specific-to-you answers are
> premature, well rehearsed falsehoods, and - of course - free work.
>
> 2.) Do not require a minimum word or page count. As per Chris Lema: "the
> RFP invites companies that specialize in responding to them, and those may
> not make the best development shops. But they will certainly invite more
> expensive shops - which may (or may not) fit your budget."
>
> 3.) Loudly invite questions regarding the RFP
>
> Most of the articles above have really good advice for organizations
> required to send RFPs. Follow them. These days there are a few alternatives
> I like, namely "Project Evaluations":
>
> Stop Writing Project Proposals (
> http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/02/stop-writing-project-proposals/)
>
> Rather than solicit for whole designs, solicit for evals (or allow
> respondents to offer a quote and a pitch for an eval) that may or may not
> lead to a full redesign project. This may help answer questions or pinpoint
> problems, user needs, and the like, which can then help you craft a much
> more focused RFP down the road because you know what you want, how to
> articulate it, what's good, and what's been recommended so far.
>
> Anyway, I'll send you a recent RFP off-list so you have something follow.
>
> Have a good one,
>
> Michael Schofield / @schoeyfield / www.libux.co
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Dani Brecher Cook
> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 7:31 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [CODE4LIB] Examples of Library Website Design RFP?
>
> Dear Code4Lib community,
>
> My library is in the preliminary stages of preparing an RFP to outsource
> the coding of a redesign of our main library website, using a TBD CMS. Have
> any of you recently done anything like this, and, if so, would you be
> willing/able to share your RFP with us as an example? We've found some
> generic samples online, but it would be great to see some library-specific
> proposals.
>
> Thanks so much for considering,
>
> Dani
> [log in to unmask]
>



-- 
Tod Robbins
Digital Asset Manager, MLIS
todrobbins.com | @todrobbins <http://www.twitter.com/#!/todrobbins>