Choose Quality Over Time: Unlock Lasting Excellence.

Recently, I received inquiries from two distinct companies regarding freelance programming opportunities. The discussions surrounding these inquiries were concerning. I will refrain from disclosing the name of the companies involved, but sharing this information can serve as a catalyst for improvement and raise the standards for all of us.

Inquiry 1 - QSC:

The project involved a boardroom and an auditorium. The boardroom was required to be completed within seven weeks, while the auditorium was to be completed two weeks later. In both areas, there were extensive custom controls and graphics for touch panels.

Company One informed me that they have been utilizing QSC Professional Service. However, they discovered that employing the manufacturing for programming was not the most suitable option for the future. This individual revealed that while QSC was engaged directly for programming, the work was outsourced. Furthermore, the touch panel designs were subpar, and the quality control measures were inadequate.

The practice of manufacturing providing programming services and subsequently outsourcing them is prevalent. For instance, Crestron has historically engaged in this practice.

Over 10 years ago, probably closer to 15 years, I was offered a possible position at Crestron overseeing their programming services. I was told that those programming services would be outsourced if the internal team could not meet demands, and they never turned down a job.

What an offer—? a position where you cannot control quality; you can’t turn down projects. Maybe you can ask for kickbacks when you give a job to another company.

If I had told Rich “I would love to work for Crestron,” I guess my life would’ve been completely different with the blue pill.

Regrettably, I was unable to assist with project one, which would have provided me with both the opportunity to utilize my expertise and needed financial compensation. This person even offered to pay more than my?standard hourly rate of $50/hr (based on blocks of 40 hours) if I would guarantee the timeframe. I did not hesitate to say, “Quality must be my top priority, and I cannot guarantee a timeframe, especially with conditions that might come up outside of my control.” My commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality remains unshaken.

I do not guarantee time, I guarantee quality.

This company paramount objective was the completion of the seven-week project, not quality. I unfortunately had to suggest for them to find someone else.

Inquiry 2 - Extron:

The second company’s situation was equally unsettling. The organization had a substantial project involving Extron (Python / VS Code) technology, spanning hundreds of rooms. The project required completion within a tight deadline of less than eight weeks. During the team call with the group, I posed a question regarding the decision to conduct interviews with freelance programmers at such a late stage in the process.

At the beginning of the #teams call, one of the individuals (likely the project manager) mentioned twice that he was recording the conversation.While this did not bother me personally, it was an indication that they have previously worked with programmers who have made promises that were not kept.

One of the technical individuals (I believe - he was the project engineer) informed me that they had a programmer approximately one month ago. However, when they recently followed up with the individual to ascertain the status of the project, this person informed them that he no longer desired to perform the job and had not even started programming.

Both instances occurred due to the prioritization of time over quality. A programmer may inform the team that the project will be completed within the specified spreadsheet time frame. However, in reality, the situation may differ.

We all have a lot on our plates, and life is a big multitasking adventure. But if the AV industry could focus on quality, it would set a new standard for everyone. The primary objective should be to prioritize quality. Because if a system is completed on time, but doesn’t work correctly it will greatly diminish the value of that system and create a cascading effect in our entire industry. It’s always best to get things right the first time, because it saves a lot of time and effort in the long run. If it ends up taking longer than anticipated in the system functions correctly, then long-term, everyone is better off.

Everyone wins when we prioritize quality over speed. The customer gets a better product, the programmer gets a more meaningful job, the dealer gets a reliable system (that doesn’t require endless free service calls), and the manufacturer gets a reputation for excellence. Our industry thrives when we focus on delivering reliable, well-made products that meet customer expectations.

Code validation and testing systems should be an integral part of every design. For instance, if a touch panel has four buttons, each of which can be either on or off, the system should be thoroughly tested for all sixteen possible combinations - 2 to the 4th power.

When seeking freelance programmers, prioritize finding a reliable individual who charges a fair and reasonable fee at the start of a project schedule.

When milestone charts become the primary driver, the focus shifts away from long-term system effectiveness and customer satisfaction.?

For those that prioritize time,

I can understand the motivation we all have bills to pay. If you own a company, you have to think about employees too.

Some of us in the AV industry may argue that they have to make compromises (no testing) or just to get it to work because they have those bills that are due.

Here’s something to think about: if someone makes too many compromises on projects to save time, the very thing they’re trying to save by prioritizing time will be lost.

Don't set project timelines on hoping to find someone “hungry enough” to take your job; plan appropriately.

At the same time,

don't trust small or large projects to those companies that charge excessive rates because their priority is not quality but money.

And yes, you can have both Quality and Time, plan ahead.

This article isn't about me—it's about elevating the exceptional standards of our incredible industry. By sharing this article, you can help inspire others and drive positive change. Please take a moment to click the share button below and join the movement.

Raia The Bar - Quality Should Be The Top Priority.

Michael Haynes