How a project runs: quote, change plan, rollback and handover

Whether it is moving your email to Microsoft 365, replacing a server, setting up a new office network or building a website, every project we do follows the same shape. The shape exists so that you always know what is happening, what it costs and how to get back to where you were if something goes wrong.

The quote

After the free assessment or a conversation about what you need, we send a written quote with a fixed scope and a fixed price: what we will do, what it will cost, how long it will take, and just as importantly what is not included. A quote is valid for the period stated on it. Work starts only when you approve it in writing, which can be a simple email reply. If the scope changes partway through, or you ask for something outside it, we quote the change before doing it. You will not find unexpected work on an invoice.

The change plan

Before any change that could interrupt your business, we write a short change plan: the order of the work, when it will happen, which systems will be unavailable and for how long, who needs to be where, and how we will roll back if it does not go as expected. We explain any steps that cannot be undone. Work that affects everyone is scheduled outside your working hours, evenings and weekends included, and we agree the time with you.

The work

We work in stages and test before anything goes live. For a migration, that usually means a trial run with a small group first. You hear from us at each milestone and immediately if anything changes the plan. If a stage fails its test, we roll back to the previous state rather than press on.

The handover

When the project is finished, you receive the handover documents: who holds each admin account, when each licence renews, how the systems connect, and how backups run. Every account and licence is in your business's name. We walk your team through anything new, and short written guides for staff can be added to this help site, visible only to your people if you prefer; see About the client documentation area.

Deciding at each stage

After each stage you choose whether to continue. If you stop partway, everything already delivered, from the assessment report to the documentation, stays with you. Ongoing support after a project is optional; many clients take it, and some simply call us when they need something.

Invoicing

Projects are invoiced as set out in the quote, often in stages for larger pieces of work. Prices are fixed for the agreed scope, and we add no margin to any hardware or software bought for the project.