Introduction
Let's be honest - if you're running a digital agency in 2024, you're probably losing money right now without even realizing it. And no, I'm not talking about that junior developer who spends half their day on Reddit.
Remember that last "small" Drupal project you quoted for $30K? The one that seemed like a safe bet? Let me guess how it went:
- Client wanted "just a few small changes" to the initial scope
- Your PM spent countless hours in meetings discussing these "small changes"
- Three months later, you're still "almost done"
- Your profit margin mysteriously vanished into thin air
Sound familiar? You're not alone.
The Project-Based Model is Dead (But Nobody Told You)
Here's the uncomfortable truth: while you're still selling projects like it's 2015, your smarter competitors have already figured out that the project-based model is as outdated as jQuery.
Why? Because:
- Your estimates are wrong (yes, ALL of them)
- Your fixed-price projects are actually fixed-loss projects
- Your team is either overworked or underutilized (there's no in-between)
- Your clients are unhappy (even if they're not telling you)
The Silent Revolution in Drupal Development
The smartest agencies have already made a radical shift: they've killed the traditional project model entirely. Instead, they're offering something that actually works in 2024 - task-based development.
Think Uber, but for Drupal development. No more:
- "Let me get back to you with a quote in a week"
- "Sorry, we're fully booked for the next three months"
- "That wasn't in the initial scope..."
Why Your Clients Will Love It (And Your Team Even More)
Imagine telling your clients:
- "Yes, we can start tomorrow"
- "You only pay for what you actually need"
- "Change your mind? No problem, we're flexible"
And imagine telling your team:
- "No more death marches to meet arbitrary deadlines"
- "Focus on coding, not endless meetings"
- "Work on tasks you're actually good at"
The Real Reason Agencies Don't Change
Let's be real - you're probably thinking "Sounds great, but..."
- "Our clients expect fixed prices"
- "We've always done it this way"
- "It's too risky to change our model"
But here's the truth: the riskiest thing you can do in 2024 is nothing.
How to Make the Switch (Without Losing Your Mind)
Start Small
- Pick your most trusted client
- Convert one project to task-based
- Watch the magic happen
Scale Smart
- Use the data from your pilot
- Show (don't tell) the benefits
- Let clients choose their preferred model
Transform Your Agency
- Build systems that scale
- Focus on speed and flexibility
- Watch your profits grow
The Choice is Yours
You can keep fighting the same old battles:
- Endless scope discussions
- Disappearing margins
- Unhappy clients
- Burned-out team
Or you can join the agencies that have already figured it out.
Your competitors are probably reading this article right now. The question is: what are you going to do about it?
