You can have your content good, fast, or cheap, but you can only pick two. Most people have heard the phrase before – The Project Management Triangle rule of business. But can you really pick only two? What if it were possible to actually choose all three? Take a moment to wrap your head around that idea and choosing a creative agency to fit your needs.
Also called Triple Constraint or the Iron Triangle, The Project Management Triangle concept uses the three sides of a triangle to illustrate the three important factors or constraints under which all projects need to be dispatched – quality or scope (good), time (fast), and cost (cheap). This model assumes the following:
- If you produce something both quickly and of high quality, it will certainly be expensive
- If you produce something both quickly and inexpensively, quality will surely suffer
- If you produce something both inexpensively and of high quality, it will undoubtedly take a long time
However, getting the results you need is about selecting the right creative agency, or rather, the right creative partner for your project. It’s about picking the team that is able to embrace your vision, capture its essence, deploy those “extra somethings” that give your idea traction, and deliver a dynamic and successful end project. It’s about experience, skill, and tools. And, it’s about starting small and building trust.
What does it mean to be good?
(Quality: think creative, original, impactful, innovative)
Quality is born from strategic thinking by well-researched, experienced creative professionals. A good end project is cultivated and blooms with care from a creative content team that loves the work. Research has shown that happy people are motivated, work harder, are innovative, and strive to be the best at what they do. When people don’t care about their work, or feel stressed and under-appreciated in their working environment, both production and quality will suffer. Observe a workplace with a collective of folks who respect and trust one another, and you’ll find that note carries through to the production and quality of the project, and, ultimately, to the satisfaction of the client. Happy workers deliver projects that meet or exceed the client’s quality expectation. The takeaway: happy workers mean happy clients. This is an important consideration to make when choosing a creative agency.
What about fast?
(Time Efficient: think on the double, posthaste, in as little time as possible)
Time is seriously precious, and it has serious worth. Finding a team that communicates effectively and listens closely, and one that is able to assess and quickly capture the essence of your vision will go a long way towards achieving time-efficient results. It’s also crucial that your crew understands the power and innovation of the technologies used in today’s market. Dynamic video, event support and design are the tools that captivate the imagination and engage the audience.
- Dynamic video is ever-changing and in motion; it’s alive, compelling, captivating, and animated
- Event Support should be custom-tailored and broad in scope, covering creative production, and onsite coordination
- Design encompasses and complements interactive content for both print and web; it persuades, engages, considers tone, and calls to action
Choosing a creative agency that understands and specializes in these elements will ensure you find a much higher quality result.
What about cheap?
(Inexpensive: think value, budget, competitive, affordable, bargain)
Big ideas can mean big value, even within the parameters of a budget. Going with the “Goldilocks” approach can be a good way to think about choosing a creative agency that’s just the right fit and right size, not too big or too small, but one that has a lot to offer creatively. A team with a diverse set of skills can launch your project further and is the key to greater value for your buck. If you think about cheap in terms of value, you’re likely to see the merit in engaging in a long-term relationship with your creative partner team. By starting small and building your relationship on trust, you’re likely to keep coming back. A strong and long-lasting relationship built between team and client will, in the end, yield the most efficient projects. And, there is great value in this efficiency.
Choosing the right creative agency – the one that truly regards the importance of the creative partnership – can generate that spark that ignites your vision and brings it to life. This is at the root of what you’re really seeking with good, fast, and cheap. With the right agency all three are attainable. Good, fast and cheap: Choose the right creative agency, and pick all three.
Are you looking for ways to find the best-fit creative agency? Check out A Creative Agency’s Buyer’s Guide!
