How to argue for a raise when project I worked on got cancelled?

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Coming up soon my boss and I have planned to discuss my annual raise. I have already read that the best way to do this is to quantify the work you have done in terms of "how it helps the company" or how it "has made the company money".



My situation is a bit different.



The problem is that most of my work this year was as the tech lead on a major project that was recently cancelled. It was through no fault of my own, the product wasn't even released yet. We had done some work for a client that was based on a verbal agreement and that was "exploratory". I can't change how the agreement was made, my boss made it, it happened, it's done.



I feel the quality of work I did on this project was very good. We put in extra hours to meet deadlines. My concern is that I have lost my single greatest bargaining chip in negotiating a raise. I have done other small projects but they pale in comparisons to this major one.



How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?







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  • Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 16:48










  • gnat - I referenced that question right in this question and explained why it is different.
    – Ronnie W.
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:31










  • I missed that, thanks for heads up (retracted duplicate vote)
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:33










  • Funny how you put in extra hours to meet deadlines for a project that got cancelled. Funny for your boss, not for you :-(
    – gnasher729
    Sep 3 '16 at 20:54
















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












Coming up soon my boss and I have planned to discuss my annual raise. I have already read that the best way to do this is to quantify the work you have done in terms of "how it helps the company" or how it "has made the company money".



My situation is a bit different.



The problem is that most of my work this year was as the tech lead on a major project that was recently cancelled. It was through no fault of my own, the product wasn't even released yet. We had done some work for a client that was based on a verbal agreement and that was "exploratory". I can't change how the agreement was made, my boss made it, it happened, it's done.



I feel the quality of work I did on this project was very good. We put in extra hours to meet deadlines. My concern is that I have lost my single greatest bargaining chip in negotiating a raise. I have done other small projects but they pale in comparisons to this major one.



How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?







share|improve this question





















  • Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 16:48










  • gnat - I referenced that question right in this question and explained why it is different.
    – Ronnie W.
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:31










  • I missed that, thanks for heads up (retracted duplicate vote)
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:33










  • Funny how you put in extra hours to meet deadlines for a project that got cancelled. Funny for your boss, not for you :-(
    – gnasher729
    Sep 3 '16 at 20:54












up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











Coming up soon my boss and I have planned to discuss my annual raise. I have already read that the best way to do this is to quantify the work you have done in terms of "how it helps the company" or how it "has made the company money".



My situation is a bit different.



The problem is that most of my work this year was as the tech lead on a major project that was recently cancelled. It was through no fault of my own, the product wasn't even released yet. We had done some work for a client that was based on a verbal agreement and that was "exploratory". I can't change how the agreement was made, my boss made it, it happened, it's done.



I feel the quality of work I did on this project was very good. We put in extra hours to meet deadlines. My concern is that I have lost my single greatest bargaining chip in negotiating a raise. I have done other small projects but they pale in comparisons to this major one.



How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?







share|improve this question













Coming up soon my boss and I have planned to discuss my annual raise. I have already read that the best way to do this is to quantify the work you have done in terms of "how it helps the company" or how it "has made the company money".



My situation is a bit different.



The problem is that most of my work this year was as the tech lead on a major project that was recently cancelled. It was through no fault of my own, the product wasn't even released yet. We had done some work for a client that was based on a verbal agreement and that was "exploratory". I can't change how the agreement was made, my boss made it, it happened, it's done.



I feel the quality of work I did on this project was very good. We put in extra hours to meet deadlines. My concern is that I have lost my single greatest bargaining chip in negotiating a raise. I have done other small projects but they pale in comparisons to this major one.



How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?









share|improve this question












share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48









Community♦

1




1









asked Sep 3 '16 at 16:11









Ronnie W.

3,59061937




3,59061937











  • Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 16:48










  • gnat - I referenced that question right in this question and explained why it is different.
    – Ronnie W.
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:31










  • I missed that, thanks for heads up (retracted duplicate vote)
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:33










  • Funny how you put in extra hours to meet deadlines for a project that got cancelled. Funny for your boss, not for you :-(
    – gnasher729
    Sep 3 '16 at 20:54
















  • Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 16:48










  • gnat - I referenced that question right in this question and explained why it is different.
    – Ronnie W.
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:31










  • I missed that, thanks for heads up (retracted duplicate vote)
    – gnat
    Sep 3 '16 at 17:33










  • Funny how you put in extra hours to meet deadlines for a project that got cancelled. Funny for your boss, not for you :-(
    – gnasher729
    Sep 3 '16 at 20:54















Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?
– gnat
Sep 3 '16 at 16:48




Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?
– gnat
Sep 3 '16 at 16:48












gnat - I referenced that question right in this question and explained why it is different.
– Ronnie W.
Sep 3 '16 at 17:31




gnat - I referenced that question right in this question and explained why it is different.
– Ronnie W.
Sep 3 '16 at 17:31












I missed that, thanks for heads up (retracted duplicate vote)
– gnat
Sep 3 '16 at 17:33




I missed that, thanks for heads up (retracted duplicate vote)
– gnat
Sep 3 '16 at 17:33












Funny how you put in extra hours to meet deadlines for a project that got cancelled. Funny for your boss, not for you :-(
– gnasher729
Sep 3 '16 at 20:54




Funny how you put in extra hours to meet deadlines for a project that got cancelled. Funny for your boss, not for you :-(
– gnasher729
Sep 3 '16 at 20:54










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote














How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?




The fact that work you performed ultimately generated no money doesn't detract from the quality of your work or your performance throughout the project. Typically the only people who get to use a project's success or bottom line when discussing their performance are the project leads or sales people. The people actually doing the work managers and developers below them are usually judged by different metrics.



You delivered solid work. You worked overtime to meet the deadlines. You presumably delivered whatever work you were assigned on time and the work you did met the requirements you were given. As tech lead you presumably managed the planning of the project and the people working on it well. None of that changes just because the project was cancelled.



Arguing for a raise based on "value added" is more effective, but you can still make your case for a raise with the same arguments you'd have used if the project had succeeded or was still underway.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    3
    down vote














    How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made
    no money?




    You aren't your project. And the project is done, so your value will pay off in the future. Obviously they had confidence in you to make you the lead, they will likely have confidence in you going forward.



    Talk about the great job you did as tech lead. Talk about the quality of work you did on the project and all the hours you put in to meet deadlines. Talk about what you learned, and what you will apply going forward.



    I suspect you are worrying over nothing.



    Good managers are able to separate project outcomes from the work done by the individuals on these projects. Everyone has worked on a failed project or two - I know I have worked on many. It seldom costs you anything individually if you didn't have sole responsibility for the project's success.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      You haven't added any value, so I wouldn't harp on that angle. Use the trusty favourites, seniority, experience, cost of living etc,.



      You worked on a failed project, the reasons for it's failure will soon be forgotten, and you not only worked on it but had a leadership role. Best to downplay the whole shambles. Your boss is already aware of it and taken it into account, no need for you to bring it up unless asked.



      Your boss may try and use it as a negotiating negative, so be prepared to defend it, and when negotiating remember that people are quite often unreasonable and have difficulty understanding (on purpose). So make your points clearly and succinctly then move on to something else. Don't get caught up in finger pointing or acknowledging in anyway that it is a serious issue.






      share|improve this answer





















      • @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
        – Kilisi
        Sep 3 '16 at 19:38










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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      6
      down vote














      How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?




      The fact that work you performed ultimately generated no money doesn't detract from the quality of your work or your performance throughout the project. Typically the only people who get to use a project's success or bottom line when discussing their performance are the project leads or sales people. The people actually doing the work managers and developers below them are usually judged by different metrics.



      You delivered solid work. You worked overtime to meet the deadlines. You presumably delivered whatever work you were assigned on time and the work you did met the requirements you were given. As tech lead you presumably managed the planning of the project and the people working on it well. None of that changes just because the project was cancelled.



      Arguing for a raise based on "value added" is more effective, but you can still make your case for a raise with the same arguments you'd have used if the project had succeeded or was still underway.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        6
        down vote














        How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?




        The fact that work you performed ultimately generated no money doesn't detract from the quality of your work or your performance throughout the project. Typically the only people who get to use a project's success or bottom line when discussing their performance are the project leads or sales people. The people actually doing the work managers and developers below them are usually judged by different metrics.



        You delivered solid work. You worked overtime to meet the deadlines. You presumably delivered whatever work you were assigned on time and the work you did met the requirements you were given. As tech lead you presumably managed the planning of the project and the people working on it well. None of that changes just because the project was cancelled.



        Arguing for a raise based on "value added" is more effective, but you can still make your case for a raise with the same arguments you'd have used if the project had succeeded or was still underway.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          6
          down vote










          up vote
          6
          down vote










          How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?




          The fact that work you performed ultimately generated no money doesn't detract from the quality of your work or your performance throughout the project. Typically the only people who get to use a project's success or bottom line when discussing their performance are the project leads or sales people. The people actually doing the work managers and developers below them are usually judged by different metrics.



          You delivered solid work. You worked overtime to meet the deadlines. You presumably delivered whatever work you were assigned on time and the work you did met the requirements you were given. As tech lead you presumably managed the planning of the project and the people working on it well. None of that changes just because the project was cancelled.



          Arguing for a raise based on "value added" is more effective, but you can still make your case for a raise with the same arguments you'd have used if the project had succeeded or was still underway.






          share|improve this answer
















          How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made no money?




          The fact that work you performed ultimately generated no money doesn't detract from the quality of your work or your performance throughout the project. Typically the only people who get to use a project's success or bottom line when discussing their performance are the project leads or sales people. The people actually doing the work managers and developers below them are usually judged by different metrics.



          You delivered solid work. You worked overtime to meet the deadlines. You presumably delivered whatever work you were assigned on time and the work you did met the requirements you were given. As tech lead you presumably managed the planning of the project and the people working on it well. None of that changes just because the project was cancelled.



          Arguing for a raise based on "value added" is more effective, but you can still make your case for a raise with the same arguments you'd have used if the project had succeeded or was still underway.







          share|improve this answer















          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Sep 3 '16 at 16:34


























          answered Sep 3 '16 at 16:28









          Lilienthal♦

          53.9k36183218




          53.9k36183218






















              up vote
              3
              down vote














              How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made
              no money?




              You aren't your project. And the project is done, so your value will pay off in the future. Obviously they had confidence in you to make you the lead, they will likely have confidence in you going forward.



              Talk about the great job you did as tech lead. Talk about the quality of work you did on the project and all the hours you put in to meet deadlines. Talk about what you learned, and what you will apply going forward.



              I suspect you are worrying over nothing.



              Good managers are able to separate project outcomes from the work done by the individuals on these projects. Everyone has worked on a failed project or two - I know I have worked on many. It seldom costs you anything individually if you didn't have sole responsibility for the project's success.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                3
                down vote














                How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made
                no money?




                You aren't your project. And the project is done, so your value will pay off in the future. Obviously they had confidence in you to make you the lead, they will likely have confidence in you going forward.



                Talk about the great job you did as tech lead. Talk about the quality of work you did on the project and all the hours you put in to meet deadlines. Talk about what you learned, and what you will apply going forward.



                I suspect you are worrying over nothing.



                Good managers are able to separate project outcomes from the work done by the individuals on these projects. Everyone has worked on a failed project or two - I know I have worked on many. It seldom costs you anything individually if you didn't have sole responsibility for the project's success.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote










                  How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made
                  no money?




                  You aren't your project. And the project is done, so your value will pay off in the future. Obviously they had confidence in you to make you the lead, they will likely have confidence in you going forward.



                  Talk about the great job you did as tech lead. Talk about the quality of work you did on the project and all the hours you put in to meet deadlines. Talk about what you learned, and what you will apply going forward.



                  I suspect you are worrying over nothing.



                  Good managers are able to separate project outcomes from the work done by the individuals on these projects. Everyone has worked on a failed project or two - I know I have worked on many. It seldom costs you anything individually if you didn't have sole responsibility for the project's success.






                  share|improve this answer














                  How can I justify my worth when the my major contributions have made
                  no money?




                  You aren't your project. And the project is done, so your value will pay off in the future. Obviously they had confidence in you to make you the lead, they will likely have confidence in you going forward.



                  Talk about the great job you did as tech lead. Talk about the quality of work you did on the project and all the hours you put in to meet deadlines. Talk about what you learned, and what you will apply going forward.



                  I suspect you are worrying over nothing.



                  Good managers are able to separate project outcomes from the work done by the individuals on these projects. Everyone has worked on a failed project or two - I know I have worked on many. It seldom costs you anything individually if you didn't have sole responsibility for the project's success.







                  share|improve this answer













                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer











                  answered Sep 3 '16 at 16:45









                  Joe Strazzere

                  221k101648912




                  221k101648912




















                      up vote
                      0
                      down vote













                      You haven't added any value, so I wouldn't harp on that angle. Use the trusty favourites, seniority, experience, cost of living etc,.



                      You worked on a failed project, the reasons for it's failure will soon be forgotten, and you not only worked on it but had a leadership role. Best to downplay the whole shambles. Your boss is already aware of it and taken it into account, no need for you to bring it up unless asked.



                      Your boss may try and use it as a negotiating negative, so be prepared to defend it, and when negotiating remember that people are quite often unreasonable and have difficulty understanding (on purpose). So make your points clearly and succinctly then move on to something else. Don't get caught up in finger pointing or acknowledging in anyway that it is a serious issue.






                      share|improve this answer





















                      • @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
                        – Kilisi
                        Sep 3 '16 at 19:38














                      up vote
                      0
                      down vote













                      You haven't added any value, so I wouldn't harp on that angle. Use the trusty favourites, seniority, experience, cost of living etc,.



                      You worked on a failed project, the reasons for it's failure will soon be forgotten, and you not only worked on it but had a leadership role. Best to downplay the whole shambles. Your boss is already aware of it and taken it into account, no need for you to bring it up unless asked.



                      Your boss may try and use it as a negotiating negative, so be prepared to defend it, and when negotiating remember that people are quite often unreasonable and have difficulty understanding (on purpose). So make your points clearly and succinctly then move on to something else. Don't get caught up in finger pointing or acknowledging in anyway that it is a serious issue.






                      share|improve this answer





















                      • @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
                        – Kilisi
                        Sep 3 '16 at 19:38












                      up vote
                      0
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      0
                      down vote









                      You haven't added any value, so I wouldn't harp on that angle. Use the trusty favourites, seniority, experience, cost of living etc,.



                      You worked on a failed project, the reasons for it's failure will soon be forgotten, and you not only worked on it but had a leadership role. Best to downplay the whole shambles. Your boss is already aware of it and taken it into account, no need for you to bring it up unless asked.



                      Your boss may try and use it as a negotiating negative, so be prepared to defend it, and when negotiating remember that people are quite often unreasonable and have difficulty understanding (on purpose). So make your points clearly and succinctly then move on to something else. Don't get caught up in finger pointing or acknowledging in anyway that it is a serious issue.






                      share|improve this answer













                      You haven't added any value, so I wouldn't harp on that angle. Use the trusty favourites, seniority, experience, cost of living etc,.



                      You worked on a failed project, the reasons for it's failure will soon be forgotten, and you not only worked on it but had a leadership role. Best to downplay the whole shambles. Your boss is already aware of it and taken it into account, no need for you to bring it up unless asked.



                      Your boss may try and use it as a negotiating negative, so be prepared to defend it, and when negotiating remember that people are quite often unreasonable and have difficulty understanding (on purpose). So make your points clearly and succinctly then move on to something else. Don't get caught up in finger pointing or acknowledging in anyway that it is a serious issue.







                      share|improve this answer













                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer











                      answered Sep 3 '16 at 17:05









                      Kilisi

                      94.3k50216374




                      94.3k50216374











                      • @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
                        – Kilisi
                        Sep 3 '16 at 19:38
















                      • @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
                        – Kilisi
                        Sep 3 '16 at 19:38















                      @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
                      – Kilisi
                      Sep 3 '16 at 19:38




                      @JoeStrazzere Infaltion and stuff, it's the one I always used, 'My cost of living is higher and I'm struggling, so I need a raise, love my job and you people are the greatest, BUT, I'm living hand to mouth and I need more money to cover expenses especially with the kids getting older, blah blah etc,. I was pretty greedy, I either got a raise every review or I started job hunting.
                      – Kilisi
                      Sep 3 '16 at 19:38












                       

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