Freelancer will always have a whole lot of feedback about the job at hand, which needs the attention of the employer. The effort required in researching the subject of work is the first in the list. Apart from secondary sources, which are easily accessible, the project may require inputs from primary sources. There are quite a few primary sources, available, for reference. The freelancer should quickly access the correct source needed for completion of work and provide feedback on requirements to complete the job.
The time required for research gets a mention in the feedback. Even while you zero in on the correct source material, the appropriate content required from the source material to finish the job should be available. There are times when the content on the work is available, but details thereof to complete a specific area with right inputs are missing. Certain times, there are innumerable inputs available on a certain topic, but when it comes to suitability, they may seem improper, for the work in hand. In short, the answers that need an explanation may not feature, in these sources. Here the freelancer has to go back to the client asking for sources of reference.
Then comes the time frame provided by the client, for research on topics. While employers provide few days or hours ahead of work schedule for research, this may not suffice. The freelancer may require more time, solely due to the nature of the subject of work. These are times when the employer need to get to know that more time is required for research as the subject in hand is complex. Accordingly, the time lines for the project changes.
Once the initial research is over, it is time to prepare the draft or the shell of the project. This will include designs and content or even codes required for the project. This may take less or more time, depending on the complexity and detailing required. Accordingly, the employer needs to get intimation.
Another aspect which needs feedback, critically and in time, is the need for more funds. The funds usually feature in the remuneration, or on a case to case basis, as and when required, whichever is convenient. Half way through the project if the freelancer realizes the need for more funds, due to the complexity of the project, then the same needs immediate attention and communication, lest the freelancer suffers losses.
Projects require resources of varied nature. This may be in form of manpower or things. The freelancer has to keep tab of what is required, at every point of development, to correctly estimate the resources required. More resource as appropriate will save the day for the freelancer.
Often, the freelancer cannot proceed beyond a certain stage due to lack of expertise. These areas identified earliest, needs communication to ensure that the project is wound up at the appropriate stage and handed over to the Subject Matter Expert who can continue to work till completion.
Whenever there are areas where specific, knowledge is required, this knowledge transfer is done either by SME or any other expert. On receiving feedback, employers can arrange sessions for knowledge transfer and sharing to effectively clarify doubts. Some of the specifics may be technical in nature, which will require a demonstration. The advanced technology of today enables a freelancer at a remote corner of the world, to get a demo of the required knowledge base through video conferencing and other means.
Where the means used for knowledge sharing is insufficient, there are alternate methods which are available and used. A freelancer can capitalize on the blessings of modern technology. The freelancer should be able to suggest and give feedback on what exactly he is looking for so as to enable appropriate means of sharing knowledge. For example when the specifics are not clear during a telecom, then the freelancer can suggest a meeting through video conferencing or even net meeting.
Certain technologies used in other countries may not be familiar to the freelancer. Such situations warrant, an overview of the technology and the processes in use, in that country, together with the country map and areas covered.
Similarly, some of the verbiages used in context vary with each English speaking country. The freelancer has to be aware of such verbiages and can write on back for inputs from the employer. This helps in avoiding confusion or miscommunication while preparing the final output.
Bigger corporations outsourcing work have their websites to provide all the information required. A freelancer who is an outsider may not have access to all the pages on the website of the company. Hence, a feedback can be in the form of a request for access to pages which have crucial information pertaining to the project. It is always good to remember that, the better the feedback, the better the output.
About K Saravana Kumar
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