Set practical revision limits without damaging client relationships.
Key takeaways
- Define a round and who consolidates feedback.
- Separate corrections from new creative direction.
- Set feedback windows and deemed-approval rules carefully.
Revision rules clients can understand
A brand project includes two consolidated revision rounds. Each round requires one written feedback list within five business days. New concepts, direction changes, or requests after approval are quoted as additional work.
Run a contract-specific review
A revision policy should describe a decision loop, not merely a number. Name who consolidates feedback, when a round begins, how long the client has to respond, and what happens when feedback contradicts the approved brief or reopens an accepted stage.
1. Define a round
Treat one consolidated set of comments from the authorized reviewer as one round.
2. Set review windows
Give each party a response period and explain how silence affects the schedule.
3. Protect approved stages
Move reopened concepts or changed direction into a paid change process.
4. Price additional work
State the hourly rate or fixed quote process before extra revisions begin.
Stress-test the difficult case
The difficult case is not a clear correction but feedback that changes direction after an approved stage. A new executive may dislike the accepted concept, stakeholders may provide contradictory comments, or delayed feedback may require rework after dependent tasks have started. Define whether the revision count applies by deliverable, stage, or project and how unused rounds expire. The agreement should distinguish correcting nonconforming work from pursuing a new preference, because charging for a genuine correction and absorbing a full redesign create different fairness problems.
Verification pass before signing
Simulate one review round using a sample deliverable. Identify the authorized reviewer, open the review window, collect comments, consolidate conflicts, classify each item as correction, included revision, or changed scope, and record the approval that closes the round. Confirm how the schedule changes if feedback arrives late and what evidence reopens an accepted stage. The resulting record should show the version reviewed, comments received, decisions made, work authorized, and rounds remaining. If that cannot be stated clearly, the revision policy is not ready to administer.
Evidence to retain
Keep timestamped drafts, consolidated comments, approval messages, reopened-stage requests, estimates, and final acceptance.
Worked example
Three stakeholders sending separate comments should not silently become three rounds. The client project owner can combine them into one prioritized response before the next revision starts.
What to verify
1. Scope
Define a round and who consolidates feedback.
2. Trigger
Separate corrections from new creative direction.
3. Evidence
Set feedback windows and deemed-approval rules carefully.
4. Fallback
Price extra rounds or move them to a change order.
Build the decision record
| Review item | Record before signing |
|---|---|
| Define a round | Treat one consolidated set of comments from the authorized reviewer as one round. |
| Set review windows | Give each party a response period and explain how silence affects the schedule. |
| Protect approved stages | Move reopened concepts or changed direction into a paid change process. |
| Price additional work | State the hourly rate or fixed quote process before extra revisions begin. |
Warning signs
- Unlimited revisions remove the project boundary.
- Feedback arrives from multiple uncoordinated reviewers.
- A revision clause ignores schedule impact.
Questions to resolve before signing
- What would prove that “define a round” is satisfied if the parties later disagree?
- What would prove that “set review windows” is satisfied if the parties later disagree?
- What would prove that “protect approved stages” is satisfied if the parties later disagree?
- What would prove that “price additional work” is satisfied if the parties later disagree?
Sources and further reading
- IRS: Independent contractor status
- U.S. Copyright Office: Works made for hire
- FTC: Endorsements and testimonials
External sources explain general rules and terminology. Your signed agreement, current policy, jurisdiction, provider documents, and individual facts control the actual outcome.
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