Reply to: Requesting A 6-Month Review With Client?

[Wanderer]

Would it be bad practice (and a very "permie" thing to do") to request a meeting with the 2 managers, to sit down, and discuss how the last 6 months has worked for them?

I like to have a review meeting with my clients every now and then, 6 to 8 weeks before the end of the contract is a good time.

I don't see it as a "permie" thing, I see it as drumming up business. I normally point out a list of problems they are having in the business and pitch my case for what my business can do to add value to their business.

The other thing to do is always be sniffing around to see who's got money, get out to the pub with the project managers and find out what resources they need, how their projects are doing etc. They will often parachute you straight in to things because they know you and it's a lot easier than getting someone off the street in to do the work.

[lukemg]

WTAS - this is a 'never do this' situation.
All feedback from current client, former client OR an interview is pointless, you wont get the truth and are unlikely to enjoy it if you do.
YOU should be self-aware enough to judge your own impact honestly, such as it is.
I judge renewal as approval, everything else is noise.

[Contreras]

Never ask for an opinion or feedback on your performance. It demonstrates a lack of confidence and won't get you a honest answer anyway.

Do ask if there is anything else in the pipeline that you could help with. Talk about what other things you are good at. The responses should be telling enough.

[BlasterBates]

Rule #1

Never ask anyone's opinion on how well you're doing. If you're doing well you know you're doing well....that's it...

Is your application crashing ? no! is it slow ? no! then you're good.

I did once work on a project where it went completely wrong and the PM went and asked the MD of the company whether he thought he was doing a good job....well the MD sort of avoided the whole subject.

Does it work? you do a good job, it doesn't work, you're not.

Doesn't matter who's fault it is.

[d000hg]

Eh? You're kidding right?

I'll leave you to make your own mind up.

[rurffy]

Dont do it - You are a contractor please NO.

[psychocandy]

Simple formula.

If renewed, its either:-

1) You're doing OK.
2) They cant get anyone else

If you don't get renewed its either:-

1) You're crap.
2) Manager doesnt like you.
3) They've run out of money.
4) They dont have any more work.

Thats all that matters.

[tractor]

...

The only feedback I'm interested in is the payment and that it is on time!

[northernladuk]

Shouldn't you ask the agency to request such feedback since you have no contract with the client?

Eh? You're kidding right?

[d000hg]

Shouldn't you ask the agency to request such feedback since you have no contract with the client?

[jmo21]

If anything, can't this type of thing be covered in "normal" project meetings?

If they have struggled to give you any kind of feedback, requesting it formally is going to be nothing but a chore for them, and as NLUK said not likely to give you much actual useful feedback

[GillsMan]

Yup, agree with the others. The closest I get to such a review, is an end of project review. But it's a two-way process, and I advise the client on what they can do to improve future implementation projects if anything didn't go according to plan.

[kevpuk]

I have never done this.

If you go through with it, hope they don't try to "return the favour" a few months down the line!

This ^^

[DirtyDog]

The only feedback that matters is whether they extend the contract or not, and if not why not.

[stek]

I regularly have a sit down with my window cleaner (aka SAS) and discuss how well he's doing the corners and how better he can avoid streaks on the bay-windows.