How would you manage client expectations when time constraints impact project deliverables?

1 Assess Reality

When time is not on your side, the first step is to assess the situation realistically. You need to evaluate the remaining workload against the available time and resources. This involves a critical look at the project scope, deadlines, and the capabilities of your team. It's essential to identify the must-have features that are critical for the game's launch and differentiate them from the nice-to-have elements that could potentially be added later. A clear understanding of what can be achieved within the constraints will serve as a foundation for managing client expectations.

2 Open Dialogue

The key to managing expectations under time pressure is maintaining an open line of communication with your clients. You should inform them as soon as you realize that deliverables may be affected. Explain the situation, the potential impact on the project, and the steps you're taking to address it. Transparency builds trust, and clients appreciate being kept in the loop. By engaging them in the problem-solving process, they become partners in finding a workable solution rather than adversaries.

3 Prioritize Tasks

To ensure the most critical aspects of the project are completed on time, prioritize tasks based on their importance to the game's core functionality and marketability. Discuss with your client which features are essential for the game's success and which can be delayed or removed if necessary. This collaborative approach to prioritization helps align your team's efforts with the client's expectations and sets a clear direction for moving forward under tight deadlines.

4 Offer Solutions

When presenting the situation to your client, always accompany the challenges with potential solutions. Whether it's extending deadlines, reducing the scope, or increasing resources, propose actionable options that can help mitigate the impact of time constraints. Your goal is to demonstrate proactive problem-solving and a commitment to delivering the best possible outcome under the circumstances. Offering solutions shows that you're dedicated to the project's success and value your client's satisfaction.

5 Adjust Scope

Sometimes, to meet deadlines, you may need to adjust the project's scope. This might involve scaling back certain features or deferring them to post-launch updates. Discuss these changes with your client and ensure they understand the implications for the game's user experience and overall quality. Emphasize the benefits of focusing on core functionalities to ensure a polished final product, and reassure them that additional features can be incorporated later, potentially as part of ongoing game support or future releases.

6 Maintain Quality

Even under time constraints, it's important to maintain a high standard of quality for the deliverables. Rushing to meet a deadline should not lead to a subpar gaming experience. Communicate to your client that while some features may be scaled back, the quality of the work will remain high. This commitment to quality will not only satisfy your client but also ensure that the end-users have a positive experience with the game, which is ultimately beneficial for everyone involved.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?