As the week draws to a close and the forecast of yet more snow, it’s the end of my first week on a new assignment. There have been several analysis and development tasks, including a deadline to be met by other staff members. Also a document to be read on professional conduct and due diligence, outlining the policies of internet and email use, while touching on external blogs. This coincidentally leads on from a previous post of mine – the blog roadmap. It reinforces my reasons for why it is important to exercise restraint in blog posts, unlike that practiced by many bloggers of today.
The best advice for a freelance contractor is not to discuss work related matters, to keep observations on such external blogs to a minimum, to be sensitive to the needs of clients, to promote trust and maintain client confidence. In effect, to be professional and ethical at all times.
The new assignment involves a migration to incorporate the systems of an acquired business into the existing systems of the client. It is currently forecast to last another three months plus, but deadlines may be tight. I have joined the project at a later stage, but it is an increasingly common phenomenon that development and migration phases nowadays are quite short. Although rapid development has been around since the dawn of IT, the rise of shorter timescales and cycles is prevalent on many corporate projects nowadays. The hiring of highly specialised staff for very short durations.
Having said that, a contractor has to hit the ground running and settle quickly within the team. I already feel as if I have been there for several months. And although this might appear startling to non-freelancers and first-timers alike, it will not be surprising to older and more experienced freelance hands.
Now, it’s on to week two.