You're facing client demands for extra project features. How do you navigate their expectations effectively?
Managing client requests for additional project features can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can maintain a healthy working relationship. Consider these strategies:
How do you handle extra feature requests from clients? Share your thoughts.
You're facing client demands for extra project features. How do you navigate their expectations effectively?
Managing client requests for additional project features can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can maintain a healthy working relationship. Consider these strategies:
How do you handle extra feature requests from clients? Share your thoughts.
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I have seen that most of the times, clients demand for extra features are reasonable. As you would agree there is no point in delivering a product or project that can’t be used for the objectives it was initiated for. Your ability to bring your contextual knowledge blended with Industry expertise to have a conversation on the whole project constructively. It is quite possible that some of the features are redundant now as the business changes frequently. Bring them the view of what their customers need from them & their product. Have them meet up with few of them and rationalize the product features. All of us have been or are buyers. While buying a TV we look at thousands of features/comparisons, though we end up using 2 - vol/channel.
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Effectively manage client demands by first understanding their needs and priorities. Communicate clearly about the project scope, budget, and timeline. Propose a phased approach, where extra features can be added in future iterations, ensuring they see value in the current deliverables. Always stay transparent and focused on delivering quality outcomes. 🌟
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Project scope is a bear! In my experience, it is important to communicate extensively with the client to avoid unrealistic expectations or miscommunications. Breaking down the project into milestones and providing options as needed provides additional value and raving fans.
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A bit of scope creep is allowed in any project. After all you cannot be so rigid with a client, as businesses are built on relationships and not on hard boundaries. One needs to be tactical when the client request extra features or an additional area to be looked at. One of the ways is to explain the trade offs or the opportunity costs of adding new features that might cause delays in other/original deliverables. You can diplomatically negotiate on additional resources and budget so that the client appreciates that any requests as such cannot be accommodated within the agreed plan/scope. It’s a matter of well you manage the conversation with tact and diplomacy.
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As a provider of strategic consulting, one of the key element I always ensure to put in a proposal, especially when I feel the client is not sure of what he needs, is a section entitled "Limits of project scope" where I explicitely expose what we won't do in the project. Efficiently clarifies everybody's expectations and particularly useful in case there is a change of key people or stakeholder over the course of the project.
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El foco central no deben ser los proyectos, deben ser los objetivos estratégicos a los que contribuyen. Los proyectos son un medio, no un fin. En ese contexto, la gestión por objetivos estratégicos requiere una gestión dinámica de los proyectos, que se puedan ajustar para fortalecer su desempeño y para adecuarlos a circunstancias cambiantes. Defender una visión original de un proyecto en un contexto dinámico de o de la empresa, puede ser riesgoso y llevar a gastos innecesarios.
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Many factors need to be considered. Who in the client organization is making the demand? Do you have a trusted advisor relationship? What is the value of the project features? Clear change management approvals and documented requests need to be followed. Even if the estimate for completion of the request is simple, many simple changes become a big impact in timing, resources, and budget. The timing of whether it needs to be done immediately or can wait till a later implementation is another decision point.
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Navigating client demands for extra project features can be an exciting challenge! I normally start by setting clear boundaries and defining the project scope upfront. Explain how changes can impact timelines and costs, and prioritise requests to help clients understand which features will deliver the most value. Offer creative alternatives, such as phased implementations or future updates, to manage immediate demands while staying within budget. Maintain transparency and keep clients informed about progress and any changes. This approach ensures that client expectations are managed effectively while maintaining a healthy working relationship.
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Enhance your client base and business expansion with effective expectation management as follows: 1) Before managing client expectations, understanding the client and their individual expectations is vital for success. 2) Setting clear and realistic expectations leads to trust and satisfaction, helping to avoid misunderstandings and disappointments. 3) For satisfactory results, align expectations with realistic timelines, ensuring clients get what you promised on expected time. 4) Be sure to conduct project reviews and get client feedback for closing jobs on a positive note.
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To manage client demands for extra project features effectively, establish clear expectations early through well-defined contracts outlining scope, timelines, and costs for additional features. Maintain transparent communication about how changes impact the project. Use measurable milestones to ensure progress is trackable and manageable. Document all agreements and amendments to avoid misunderstandings. Balancing flexibility with realistic boundaries ensures client satisfaction while maintaining project integrity and avoiding scope creep. References: Epicflow (2023), ClickUp (2023).
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