This is the third in a series of articles on Needs Analysis.

On the Geek Scale (1-10), where are you—are you a taped glasses, pocket protector 10? An iPod-using, Google-searching 4? Or maybe an "I don't even know how to turn ON a computer" 1? No matter where you are on this scale, you can bring out your inner geek to save money when getting proposals for a project.

Years ago, I sometimes thought people were stupid.

In my 20 years as a programmer, I have never—not once—gotten a Request for Proposal (RFP) that had enough detail that I could accurately estimate the project. Why don't they give enough information? I used to wonder. Luckily, in 20 years I've also learned that whenever I think there's stupidity around, I only need to check the mirror to find the source. Works every time.