Studio Management Tips?!

[Bakey]

Hey there folks,

Well, times have changed - I've been given the opportunity to run a small studio of four individuals complete with freelancing individuals.

Trouble is... Nothing actually exists within the confines of the "studio" with respect to project management and the like; not even a means of taking a brief for a job... It has kind of been ran in a very ad-hoc fashion for a number of months now!!

I've had Project Management positions in the past, where I've literally walked into the position and picked-up the methodologies and working practices & all's been hunky dorey -- where as here I'm going to have to produce and implement everything from scratch!!

I've a boat load of Project Management materials from my old Open University days, together with copies of "Project Management for Dummies", "Idiots Guide to Project Management" and "Managing Interactive Media".

Thing is I could really, really do with any resources and guidance on how the heck I could and should run a studio!?!

Any one for tennis... Oh crikey!!!

 

[Blue Velvet]

Thing is I could really, really do with any resources and guidance on how the heck I could and should run a studio!?!

First of all, after absorbing how they currently work, implement simple systems that can be updated easily that can be accessed by all people that are involved in the project. Open and centralised information management is key. Keep that information as fresh and current as possible, letting people know when something has changed.

Spend time at the beginning of the job making sure that as many details are nailed down and understood. The last thing you want is people having surprises, or worse, having to extract information from you at the end of the production process when deadlines are imminent.

Draw up a fixed and detailed brief sheet with clear delivery dates at important stages. Involve an experienced designer at the brief-taking process as they will flag concerns and production processes that may impact on the client's grand ideas.

Keep talking to people often if production cycles are short, track progress whether by software or by simple lists. Delegate overseeing responsibilities to the most senior or experienced member of your team, don't try to do everything yourself.

And hardest of all, keep a happy head in the centre of the storm.

Good luck.

 

[Bakey]

And hardest of all, keep a happy head in the centre of the storm.

Good luck.

Most definitely!!

Many thanks for your advice Blue Velvet -- had a sneaky suspicion you'd come-up trumps knowing your design background.

In the meantime, wish me luck and should *anything* come-up that you feel would be of use then please, please, please chuck it my way...