You're in the middle of a data analytics project. How do you pivot when the client demands strategy changes?
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Workshop for clarity:Schedule a workshop to analyze the pros and cons of both the new and old strategies with your client. This helps uncover underlying reasons for changes and ensures all concerns are addressed collaboratively.### *Transparent communication and reprioritization:Clarify the client's new objectives and assess the impact on timelines, resources, and data needs. Communicate transparently with your team to adjust tasks, ensuring alignment with the client’s vision while maintaining
You're in the middle of a data analytics project. How do you pivot when the client demands strategy changes?
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Workshop for clarity:Schedule a workshop to analyze the pros and cons of both the new and old strategies with your client. This helps uncover underlying reasons for changes and ensures all concerns are addressed collaboratively.### *Transparent communication and reprioritization:Clarify the client's new objectives and assess the impact on timelines, resources, and data needs. Communicate transparently with your team to adjust tasks, ensuring alignment with the client’s vision while maintaining
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Jede Strategieänderung hat einen Grund. Ich würde einen Workshop ansetzen, um gemeinsam mit dem Kunden die Vor- und Nachteile der neuen sowie der alten Strategie zu analysieren. Ziel ist es, alle Nachteile auszugleichen, um das gewünschte Ergebnis zu erreichen. Häufig beruhen Strategieänderungen auf bestimmten Erlebnissen, Informationen von außen oder persönlichen Bedürfnissen, die bisher unberücksichtigt blieben. Im Workshop können solche Hintergründe aufgedeckt und reflektiert werden. Besonders wirksam ist es, wenn Vor- und Nachteile zunächst anonym und verdeckt aufgeschrieben werden, bevor sie im Team besprochen und bearbeitet werden. In kritischen Fällen kann der gesamte Prozess anonym gestaltet werden.
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When a client requests strategy changes mid-project, I first clarify their new objectives to understand the underlying reasons. I then evaluate how the changes impact the project timeline, data requirements, and resources. By communicating transparently with the team, I outline any adjustments needed and reprioritize tasks to align with the client’s vision. If necessary, I propose phased deliverables to meet immediate needs while keeping long-term goals in focus. This flexible approach ensures the project remains client-centric while maintaining data integrity and quality.
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When a client requests changes in strategy after a project has already started, it may seem like a challenge, but with the right structure and communication it can become an opportunity to improve the project. It is essential to understand why the client wants to change the strategy. Organize a meeting to discuss in detail the new needs and the reasons behind the request. This helps clarify new objectives, avoiding misunderstandings and aligning on expectations. The key approach is to maintain clear and open communication with the customer, aligning the intermediate steps with their needs. The end result should be a project that reflects an agile strategy and the ability to adapt, an important added value in any data analysis project.
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As Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, but those most adaptable to change." In my experience, pivoting during a data analytics project requires adaptability and a structured approach to maintain progress. For example, I once addressed mid-project strategy changes by meeting with the client to clarify new objectives and assess how they impacted the timeline and resources. One helpful strategy is breaking down the project into adaptable phases, allowing you to integrate new goals without losing momentum. A common mistake is rushing adjustments—taking time to recalibrate with the client ensures alignment and sustained quality in the final output.
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Greg Lopes
Head of Product and Experience at levva | Innovation | Digital Strategy | Teacher at PUCC
Entenda o motivo da mudança, busque saber os objetivos da nova demanda, alinhe bem a expectativa com os stakeholders, fale com o usuário final para entender se tudo tem aderência. Com isso feito desenhe os cenários (A, B e C) reorganizando o backlog e redistribuindo os recursos no tempo, priorizando de acordo com o valor x esforço. Chegue em consenso com os interessados de equilíbrio entre ganhos e perdas e definam um dos cenários para seguirem. Divida a responsabilidade de definição, assim todos ficam comprometidos com as decisões tomadas e com o que foi deixado de lado para que a mudança fosse possível e documente tudo isso. Para reduzir as mudanças tente focar menos em desejos e dores/sintomas e mais em casas raiz dos problemas.
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Accepting and responding to changes mid-project is not just a technical matter, it’s a show of empathy and commitment to the client’s vision. To adapt means we’re truly listening and understanding their evolving needs, recognizing that circumstances can shift. This approach assures the client that we’re on their side, valuing their vision and working to make it a reality. Beyond merely completing a task, adaptability demonstrates our dedication to delivering results that align with the client’s goals, even if it means making adjustments along the way. This level of commitment builds a relationship of trust and collaboration.
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1. First have a frank discussion with the client to understand why they are changing the strategy in the middle of an analysis. Tell them that you will need to evaluate the impact on the scope of work and adjust the effort and billing . 2. Do a thorough impact analysis, specially factoring the cost to demobilize existing skills/applications and mobilizing new ones.The impact may be from "easy enough" to "we might need a new contract". also consider hybrid or in-between solutions. Have atleast 3 alternative options handy apart from the main solution 3. Communicate the main solution , alternatives and cost impact to the client for each. You will definitely end up with one favorable outcome
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First assess feasibility by identifying impacts on timeline, budget, and resources, and communicate these transparently. Engage the Change Control Board (CCB) to formalize this change and document it properly. Evaluate existing data to determine if it aligns with the new direction or requires updates, and adjust models or tools as needed, collaborating closely with the data team. Clearly out updated deliverables, and conduct regular check-ins with the client to maintain alignment. Agile practices like iterative feedback sessions help ensure adaptability, while structured planning and solution-focused actions keep deliverables on target. This approach maintains responsiveness to client needs while effectively managing project adjustments.
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When a project shifts unexpectedly, I start by understanding the new objectives through open discussions with the client. This helps clarify priorities and manage expectations. I then assess the impact on scope, resources, and timeline, reallocating where needed to keep quality intact. Adopting an agile approach is key—frequent check-ins ensure we stay aligned with the evolving goals. Clear, consistent communication with both clients and internal teams fosters transparency and supports creative solutions. Finally, I document these changes to improve our adaptability in future projects. This approach helps us pivot effectively without sacrificing quality.
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Unexpected changes and dynamically pivoting to adjust accordingly, defines a near constant variable when it comes to any high viability and high priority project. The response matters as much as the end result, and often shapes the overall outcome. In these situations communication is a key to achieving and executing a successful strategy. Before reaching out to the customer, lateral cross communication with internal and external stakeholders, to analyze and evaluate new requirements, and reaching a clear and unified understanding on how to proceed along this new path is critical. The team can then analyze the problem and impacts, reach a unified response, and inform the customer with the way ahead, level setting expectations.
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I would start a process by giving information about the reasons behind such changes by having one-on-one conversations. My approach is to understand the reason behind a change and look at possible solutions or how to adapt. Showing interest in changes while offering an explanation of the best approach provides consistency in the project without delays or even communication issues tasks because a new plan must be applied.
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