Understand your stakeholders and their 'stakes'. 1) Create the mind-map of your stakeholders. 2) Identify primary, secondary, tertiary stakeholders. Who really depend on the success of the program, why so? Who are looking just for their info, etc. 3) Prioritise stakeholders' needs based on the above categories. 4) Crisply communicate who needs what - ask where you need their help, own-up what you must. 5) For high priority stakeholders, like customers, involving them in the problem solving can be one of the most effective ways for all involved parties. 6) Avoid surprising stakeholders. We often make a mistake of reaching out to our stakeholders when we are no longer in control - that's the worst way of keeping your stakeholders informed.

Acknowledge scope changes and communicate their impact on timelines, budget, and resources. Set clear boundaries and use change management processes to formally address new requests. Prioritize high-value features and negotiate trade-offs to keep the project focused. Be transparent about the consequences of unchecked scope creep and offer solutions that align with project goals. Keep stakeholders informed with regular updates, demonstrating control and commitment to delivering results. Reinforce trust by showing that changes are managed efficiently without compromising quality.