As most business people recognize, profitability in a firm is largely related to how quickly and economically it can turn out its products or services so that the client is satisfied, and costs are minimized.

Creative companies, like contractors in most fields, face a particular problem in the fact that their products are usually unique and tailored, one by one, to their clients' specifications.  And creatives are often inclined to produce perfect but past due products, instead of punctual but praiseworthy ones.

As with any endeavor, planning usually drives the difference between acceptable and excellent results.

At Scribblehouse, we like to break each project into six stages, and work through each stage as we progress.  These stages surround the following activities:

• Define the problem and the results requested.
• Discover potential solution sources and scope the project.
• Design a variety of suggested courses for a solution.
• Develop a final solution based on client preferences and feedback.
• Deliver the completed solution to the customer.
• Debrief with the customer about the quality of the project process, collecting feedback for use in refining our relationships.

By moving carefully through the activities located in each stage, we strive to efficiently produce materials for our clients that reflect their desires and expectations, are timely, and curtail our creative compulsions.  By "closing gates" at the end of each stage with a client, we make sure that together, we and they, are moving forward with the project, and are communicating along the way.   We really try to keep the "scope creep" just a creep.