Freelance Project Management: Retired Project Manager

About This Book

The purpose of this book is to introduce you to freelance project management and provide you with the tools to get you started. 

This book is not going to tell you how to manage your freelance projects because you are already an experienced project manager.

We will, however, discuss the value of your services and how to set your rates.  We will mention negotiations and briefly discuss reporting.  We will discuss the risks of project freelancing and mention a few risk mitigation strategies.  Finally, we’ll close with a few remarks on where to find freelance work, the qualifications needed to freelance, and a suggested set of tools you’ll need to freelance.

​Preface

Several years ago, the technology company I worked for ran into financial difficulties and needed to reduce expenses in a big way.  They restructured the company, withdrew from certain markets, and laid off a significant portion of their workforce.

My customer facing, project management position was among the roles that were eliminated, essentially abandoning my former clients.

I moped around for a few days feeling sorry for myself, then decided to freelance my skills.

I called all my former customers and said, Just because the company doesn’t need my services any longer, you still do.

Bottom line is I worked sixteen weeks over the following months at consulting rates and made a year and half’s wages before going back to work full time.

​Introduction

All of us at one time or another have dreamed about working for ourselves.  The idea of firing the boss who is constantly meddling in our projects is very appealing.

First, let’s define freelance or freelancing.

In simple terms, freelancing means that you