Your team and client are at odds over project milestones. How will you navigate the conflicting expectations?

1 Assess Reality

When your team and client disagree on project milestones, the first step is to assess the current status objectively. Gather all the facts, review the project scope, and understand the reasons behind each party's expectations. It's essential to identify any gaps between the project plan and actual progress. Acknowledge the concerns of both sides without bias, ensuring that you have a clear picture of the situation. This will form the foundation for informed discussions and help you establish a common ground from which to move forward.

2 Open Dialogue

Once you've assessed the situation, initiate an open dialogue between your team and the client. Facilitate a meeting where both parties can express their views in a structured manner. Encourage respectful listening and ensure that each concern is addressed. Clarify misunderstandings and highlight the common goals shared by everyone involved. This step is crucial for building trust and demonstrates your commitment to addressing the issue collaboratively.

3 Align Goals

After opening the lines of communication, work on aligning the goals of your team and the client. Revisit the project's objectives and discuss how the current milestones serve those ends. If necessary, adjust the goals to reflect any changes in scope or resources that have occurred since the project's inception. By ensuring that both parties agree on what success looks like, you can create a shared vision that drives the project forward.

4 Negotiate Terms

With aligned goals, it's time to negotiate the terms for achieving the revised milestones. This involves compromising and finding solutions that are acceptable to both your team and the client. Be creative in proposing alternative approaches or adjustments to the timeline that can satisfy everyone's needs. Remember, negotiation is about give and take; be prepared to make concessions while also standing firm on critical aspects of the project.

5 Implement Changes

Agreeing on new terms is one thing; implementing them is another. Develop an action plan detailing how the agreed-upon changes will be put into effect. Assign clear responsibilities and deadlines to ensure accountability. Communicate these changes to all stakeholders involved and provide the necessary support to your team to adapt to these new directions. Effective implementation is key to regaining momentum and keeping the project on track.

6 Monitor Progress

Finally, closely monitor the progress of the project after implementing the changes. Regular check-ins with both your team and the client will help you catch any issues early on. Provide transparent updates on the status of milestones and be proactive in addressing potential delays or challenges. Continuous monitoring allows for timely interventions and maintains confidence in the project's success.