What do you do if your network engineering goals and deadlines are unrealistic?

1 Assess Reality

When confronted with seemingly unattainable network engineering goals, the first step is to perform a reality check. Analyze the project scope, resources, and time frame. Are the expectations set by management or clients based on accurate estimations? It's important to review the technical requirements and compare them against the available resources and time. If discrepancies are found, document them meticulously. This will serve as a foundation for further discussions about project feasibility and necessary adjustments.

2 Open Dialogue

Having identified the gaps between expectations and reality, initiate an open dialogue with stakeholders. Communication is key in network engineering, as in any field. Clearly present your findings and concerns regarding the project's goals and deadlines. Be prepared to offer alternative solutions or compromises that could make the project more realistic without sacrificing essential features or security. A collaborative approach can often lead to a reassessment of priorities and a more manageable project timeline.

3 Prioritize Tasks

Once you have stakeholders on the same page, it's time to prioritize tasks. In network engineering, not all tasks are created equal. Some are critical to the network's functionality, while others may be nice-to-have features that can be deferred. Use a method like the MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have) technique to categorize tasks. This will help you focus on what's essential and ensure that the most important aspects of the network are addressed first.

4 Manage Time

Effective time management is crucial when dealing with tough deadlines. Break down your network engineering project into smaller, more manageable chunks. Assign realistic time frames to each task, considering potential setbacks. Use tools like Gantt charts to visualize project timelines and dependencies. This will help you track progress and adjust as needed, ensuring that you're making the best use of your time without overlooking any critical components of the project.

6 Adjust Expectations

Finally, if all else fails, it may be necessary to adjust expectations. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, certain network engineering goals cannot be met within the original deadlines due to unforeseen complexities or resource limitations. In such cases, have a candid conversation with stakeholders about what can be realistically achieved. It's better to deliver a functional and secure network later than to rush and potentially introduce vulnerabilities or performance issues.

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?