Why We Need to Rethink Invitations to Tender in Digital Projects

Boagworld: UX, Design Leadership, Marketing & Conversion Optimization

In this episode, we dive into the frustrating world of Invitations to Tender (ITTs), explore why Notion might be the only app you need, and discuss treating AI like your newest intern. We also share our thoughts on Adobe's latest AI innovations and why UX seems to have lost its shine.

The Problem with Traditional Tenders

Our main topic for this show is Invitations to Tenders (ITTs). We've spent years dealing with ITTs, and frankly, we're tired of a system that doesn't serve anyone well. For agencies, they're incredibly time-consuming and costly to complete, often with no guarantee of success. What's worse, sometimes you're just there to make up the numbers because procurement needs three quotes.

The limited information provided in ITTs makes accurate pricing challenging, and their rigid specifications leave little room for the flexibility digital projects need. When usability testing suggests a major change in direction, you're stuck navigating complex change control procedures instead of doing what's best for the project.

From the client perspective, you're inadvertently paying for every failed proposal agencies have ever written - those costs have to be recovered somehow. The focus on lowest price often leads to subpar outcomes, and the whole process tends to favor agencies that are good at writing proposals rather than delivering projects.

A Better Approach to Digital Project Procurement

We believe there's a better way. Start by having meaningful conversations with potential agencies before writing anything down. Evaluate their track record and capabilities through discussion rather than form-filling exercises.

Consider breaking larger projects into smaller, more manageable phases. Begin with a paid discovery phase, using a small percentage of the overall budget to properly scope the work. This approach helps mitigate risk and allows for the flexibility digital projects need.

Invitations to Tender: A Flawed System in Need of Change

Notion: The Swiss Army Knife of Digital Tools

In this show Paul also obsesses over Notion. If he could only keep one app, it would be Notion. It's become his go-to tool for everything from client project management to content creation. With its recent addition of automation and form builders, it's becoming even more powerful.

For agencies, it's particularly valuable for managing client communication, tracking projects, and storing best practices. The built-in AI functionality, combining ChatGPT and Claude, makes it even more versatile.

Treating AI as Your UX Intern

We also discuss a Nielsen Norman Group's article that suggests thinking of AI as an intern - a perspective we find particularly helpful. Like an intern, AI needs clear instructions and its work needs to be double-checked, but it can handle many routine tasks effectively.

This mental model helps frame how to integrate AI into your workflow without over-relying on it or dismissing its capabilities entirely.

Adobe's AI Revolution

Meanwhile, Adobe's latest AI developments, showcased at Adobe Max, are remarkable. In Illustrator, AI can now redraw characters from different angles while preserving style and detail. In Photoshop, it automatically matches lighting across composite images.

Rather than creating standalone tools, Adobe integrates AI directly into existing products, transforming hours-long tasks into instant operations.

The State of UX

We wrap up with a discussion about why UX seems to have lost its shine. While some blame UX professionals for overselling its benefits, we see this as part of a broader pattern where organizations half-heartedly implement new approaches without fully committing to them.

Whether it's UX, digital transformation, or AI, success requires more than just hiring one person or implementing one tool - it needs genuine organizational commitment and understanding.

How We Designers Destroyed UX (and Why No One Talks About It Anymore)

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