How about "Do you actually have funding for this project now?"  I've gone
the rounds before with the mad inventor crowd only to find later that the
budget projections were based on "I'll go find vc/angel investors and
formalize a business plan after you've developed a prototype."  I'd imagine
you'd want to word it a bit more elegantly in practice.  Not a problem I
suppose for regular contract work; but a lot of guys propose a bit of "blue
sky" in exchange for some discount/free development work.  Many here on the
piclist are probably more experienced at this than me, but it still kind of
surprises me at the informal nature of a lot of these "business plans".
Maybe it's just my neihborhood...  :')
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jinx" <joecolquitt@CLEAR.NET.NZ>
> Any suggestions for general questions to ask potential customers ?
>
> Some thoughts -
>
> When is this needed ?
>
> Is this a prototype or proof-of-concept only ?
>
> Or is quantity required ? How many ?
>
> What precision / accuracy ?
>
> Power supply ?
>
> Environment the product will be in ?
>
> Size ? Importance of size ?
>
> Cost ? (or cost vs quality)
>
> Longevity ?
>
> What is your budget ? (is that relevant or appropriate ? Could
> you apply for a development grant for example to help ?)
>
> Have you approached another developer, what result ?
>
> Is there a competing product ? (Details ? Reason for you
> making your own ?)

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