When clients ask for more features than originally planned, I make sure to have an open conversation about how it will impact the timeline and budget. I work with them to prioritize what's most important, document any changes, and keep everything transparent. I’m flexible with reasonable requests but also set clear boundaries to ensure the project stays on track and meets the quality expectations.

Give clients some space to recognize what they really want. That's the main reason we are working agile. So, you are already in the middle of project development: - Take your time, don't accept or reject now. Don't you ever tell how long a feature will take on the spot. - Assess the changes. Criteria: how urgent and essential these changes are? and how would they impact the core systems you have already developed. - Propose to the client how the changes will impact the current development timeline/cost. Next time when you start a new project: - Break the process to phases. - Plan for Demos and Deliverables end of each phase. - Expect and allow the client to change before each phase. - Replan. - Share the new plan/budget.

When a client’s expectations exceed the initial plan, I focus on clear communication and adaptability. For instance, at Surprise Someone, a corporate client once requested additional customized eco-friendly gifts close to the deadline. To manage this, I promptly discussed the revised scope with the client, set realistic timelines, and involved the team in streamlining production. By being transparent about the changes and offering creative solutions, we exceeded their expectations without compromising quality, turning the challenge into an opportunity to build trust and strengthen the relationship.

To manage scope creep, I focus on balancing client needs with project goals and constraints. I first assess the requested features' business impact, prioritizing them against existing deliverables using frameworks like MoSCoW or effort-impact matrices. For example, in a SaaS product enhancement, a client requested additional reporting capabilities late in the development cycle. I engaged the client to understand their urgency, then proposed a phased approach: delivering core features first and scheduling enhancements for the next release. Transparent communication about trade-offs, timelines, and resource implications ensures alignment and minimizes disruption to the overall product vision.

First, prioritize open communication with the client, discussing how additional features impact timelines, costs, and quality. I’d identify the most valuable features and suggest a phased approach or post-launch updates to balance expectations. By keeping the project’s goals clear and collaborating on realistic solutions, I can manage scope while maintaining client satisfaction.