2. Workflow Process
Almost every agency has a different process for delivering on the same piece of work. Processes may even change from client to client, depending on need. For instance, when we traffic online ad campaigns, certain clients rely on us to issue unique click URLs. Others rely on us for a URL convention. Others don't even have a convention at all. Our process has to be flexible enough to accommodate turnaround times on requests for click URLs from clients.
Now, add another agency to the mix. If that agency is the lead agency, you may not have direct client contact and might need to route requests through their account managers. Now the process needs to accommodate even longer lead times, based on how quickly the lead agency can shepherd URL requests through the client's process.
It's important to realize that when a new agency gets involved, its processes might not be compatible with yours. Walkthroughs at the beginning of a project are a helpful solution, with deliverables, timeframes and dependencies clearly mapped out.
A common "chicken and egg" problem with respect to workflow occurs because of a difference in expectations between a media agency and a creative agency. Many creative agencies don't expect to do concept work until they receive a list of creative specs and sizes. Many media agencies don't issue specs until they have an approved media plan. If expectations aren't adjusted, a creative agency won't start working on creative until after the media plan is approved.
In today's world of shortened deadlines and timing expectations, these two processes should be kicked off in parallel in order to make sure a campaign launches in a timely manner.
If you map out the timing of the project and discuss any perceived dependencies (work that can't be delivered until something else is delivered earlier in the process), then you'll spot bottlenecks and you'll be able to address them up front, saving yourself time and headache in the long run.