The designer disappeared right in the middle of the project

At first, everything looked great. A SaaS client pumped about their new product.

A solid product agency ready to deliver awesome results. A freelance designer who's a whiz at user interface design.

With three parties involved, everything seemed perfectly in sync, and things were moving along nicely.

The agency came to us to put together the contract, and they wanted something “simple” - just the basics: scope of work, timeline, and payment terms - essentially a straight-up agreement.

But we know that simple contracts can fall apart when dealing with complicated projects.

The Steps We Took

So, we dug a little deeper, asking some important questions that could help avoid issues later on:

• What if the client takes forever to give important feedback?

• What happens if the designer disappears without a trace in the middle of it all?

• What if the agency needs to push back deadlines because something unexpected pops up?

These scenarios can easily derail a project if they’re not addressed in the contract.

To protect the project, we drafted a contract that covered these “what ifs.”

We didn’t just lay out a plan, we added backup strategies. Our contract included:

Clear responsibilities for each party. Contingency plans outlining fallback options. Timelines for how and when to deal with disputes.

A few weeks into the project, the designer actually dropped out. But instead of everyone freaking out, they all turned to the contract.

They flipped to page 5 and calmly followed the steps outlined there:

There was no blaming anyone. No chaotic legal drama. No frustrating email exchanges.

The Steps I Recommend To Other People

For anyone looking to create a solid contract, I'd suggest focusing on these key areas:

1) Contingency Clauses:

Plan for delays with a clause that pauses the project timeline until the client gives all necessary feedback.

2) Address Individual Risks:

If someone like a designer or developer goes AWOL, having a backup plan means a replacement can jump in within a set timeframe (say, 15 days) to keep things moving.

3) Scope Creep:

Have a clear process for handling additional requests from the client, including how to approve these changes, their costs, and how they’ll affect timelines.

4) Clear Termination Terms:

Include clauses that let either party exit the project if it’s not going well, with defined notice periods and payment terms for work completed.

5) Dispute Resolution:

If conflicts come up, adding a clause for arbitration under Indian law can help resolve issues faster than going through lengthy court proceedings.

To Conclude

In the end, well-drafted contracts are important.

They don’t just jot down your hopes and expectations, they help you handle the real challenges that might pop up.

If you’re drafting contracts based on wishful thinking, you’re basically gambling with your business.

And let's face it, luck isn't a solid way to run things. It’s vital to be ready for the messy parts of any project.

Doing this keeps both the project and the partnership healthy, even when things get tough.