Tips Designers Must Use When Working with a Committee

Sometimes you have a client that in any other circumstance would be a perfect one, however they insist on putting every decision up to a committee. They are most likely only choosing to do so because they want the best possible outcome. Who can really blame them? Ok you can, but their need for a great outcome is exactly how you can get through this project and still produce some amazing work. Read on to see my tips for working with a committee.

Why do committee projects go wrong?

The answer is perfectly simple; multiple agendas. When dealing with multiple stakeholders each has something they wish to gain out of the project. If we can make sure that these agendas are not hidden and go addressed, it is actually possible to have a successful project. So how do we do this?

Step 1: Budget hours for deeper discovery

When working with a committee the client is going to have to face the consequences of it financially. This is not malicious, it just takes more time to meet with all the stakeholders, prepare presentations, and work with more people. Basically more people equal more project management. For an in-depth explanation be sure to check out Andy Rutledge’s Article “Calculating Hours - the Client Factors”

Step 2: Set firm project goals

Setting goals (which you should be doing anyway) is what will help you avoid those infuriating hidden agendas and conflicting views. By having measurable goals to relate design decisions to you can avoid personal opinion and being outnumbered by group think. For help setting goals check out Eric Karjuto’s article “Can you rescue your ideas?”

Step 3: Interview each stakeholder (individually)

To really set appropriate goals and get to the bottom of the problem you are going to have to meet with each of the stakeholders individually. Start by ensuring each person that their comments will be completely anonymous, to ensure that you receive unfiltered opinions. This will not only help you set realistic goals, it will let each stakeholder know that their opinions are being taken seriously.

Step 4: Present your findings to the group

Present to the group a set of goals that is based on their collective wants, but more importantly their needs. Remember to keep all findings anonymous but make sure that everyone’s needs have been addressed. Back up each decision in relation to your personal expert experience and the overlying goals of the project. If all has gone well your argument should be so convincing (because it is based on logic) that they will have no reason to argue.

Step 5: Present your work and relate all creative decisions back to the goals

Unfortunately in this situation “it just looks better” is not going cut it, nor should it ever. Your decisions will need to convey the message and goals of the project in order to be successful. In your presentation you should focus the conversation in relation to how the proposed design fits the project goals. Doing so will keep the discussion from sliding off onto decisions the designer should be making like font size or logo placement.

Following these steps will allow you to maintain control over creative decision and focus the client on what really matters their business goals. In reality setting goals in this manner should be done every time, and is exactly why I believe that every designer should have a process. When working with a committee there is no other choice if you hope to end without the design by committee result. If you have any other tips that have helped you when working with clients in the past please share them in the comments below.