Sign in to view more content

Create your free account or sign in to continue your search

Welcome back

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

New to LinkedIn? Join now

or

New to LinkedIn? Join now

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Skip to main content
LinkedIn
  • Top Content
  • People
  • Learning
  • Jobs
  • Games
Join now Sign in
Last updated on Jan 23, 2025
  1. All
  2. IT Services
  3. IT Consulting

You're faced with a client's unrealistic project completion timeline. How do you set achievable expectations?

When faced with an unrealistic project completion timeline, it's essential to set achievable expectations without compromising the relationship. To navigate this challenge:

- Assess the project scope and identify critical milestones, then communicate what's feasible.

- Propose an alternative timeline with clear reasoning behind each deadline adjustment.

- Offer solutions like additional resources or adjusted project scope to meet crucial deadlines.

How do you handle setting realistic timelines with your clients? Share your strategies.

IT Consulting IT Consulting

IT Consulting

+ Follow
Last updated on Jan 23, 2025
  1. All
  2. IT Services
  3. IT Consulting

You're faced with a client's unrealistic project completion timeline. How do you set achievable expectations?

When faced with an unrealistic project completion timeline, it's essential to set achievable expectations without compromising the relationship. To navigate this challenge:

- Assess the project scope and identify critical milestones, then communicate what's feasible.

- Propose an alternative timeline with clear reasoning behind each deadline adjustment.

- Offer solutions like additional resources or adjusted project scope to meet crucial deadlines.

How do you handle setting realistic timelines with your clients? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
63 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Nebojsha Antic 🌟

    Senior Data Analyst & TL @Valtech | Instructor @SMX Academy 🌐Certified Google Professional Cloud Architect & Data Engineer | Microsoft AI Engineer, Fabric Data & Analytics Engineer, Azure Administrator, Data Scientist

    • Report contribution

    📊Evaluate project scope and break it into realistic milestones. 🗣Communicate feasibility early, setting clear expectations. 📅Propose an alternative timeline with justifications. 🔄Offer flexible solutions like phased delivery or added resources. 🚀Align expectations with available resources and constraints. 💡Use data from past projects to support realistic deadlines. 🤝Maintain transparency to strengthen client trust and collaboration.

    Like
    13
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Valeriana Colón, Ph.D.

    Learning Scientist | Connection Centered IT Consulting

    • Report contribution

    "Clear expectations lead to successful outcomes." When a client demands an unrealistic timeline, address it with transparency and data. Start by breaking down project phases and estimating realistic durations based on past benchmarks. In my experience, offering phased delivery or prioritizing critical features helps balance speed and quality. Use data to highlight risks like technical debt or increased costs from rushing. A common mistake is agreeing without pushback; instead, propose realistic alternatives, reinforce long-term benefits, and ensure alignment on achievable milestones to maintain project integrity and client satisfaction.

    Like
    8
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Adriano Martins Antonio, ITIL 4 Master, Ambassador ITIL

    LinkedIn Creator and Top Voice | Professor ❤️ | Founder - PMG Academy 💙 | ITIL®4 Ambassador | Writer | Consultant | Speaker on IT Governance, Information Security, and Business

    • Report contribution

    Lidar com prazos irreais exige mais do que apenas renegociação – é um exercício de gestão estratégica e transparência. Antes de tudo, transforme o diálogo com o cliente em uma parceria baseada em dados, demonstrando, com embasamento técnico, os impactos de um cronograma inviável na qualidade e nos resultados do projeto. Proponha um roadmap alternativo, estruturado em entregas realistas, e apresente soluções práticas, como otimização de recursos ou ajustes no escopo. Definir expectativas atingíveis não significa apenas dizer "não", mas sim construir um caminho sustentável que equilibre urgência com viabilidade, garantindo um projeto bem-sucedido para ambas as partes.

    Translated
    Like
    7
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Daniel Karge, PMP

    Karge kann Krise | Project Management | Interim Management | KI-Trainer |

    • Report contribution

    Ein unrealistischer Zeitplan erfordert professionelles Erwartungsmanagement. • Stakeholder-Engagement: Frühzeitiger Austausch mit dem Kunden über realistische Zeitrahmen • Scope-, Zeit- und Ressourcenabgleich: Projektumfang, verfügbare Ressourcen und Zeitplan neu bewerten • Risikoanalyse: Auswirkungen eines zu engen Zeitplans auf Qualität und Budget aufzeigen • Change Management: Anpassungen vorschlagen und dokumentieren Ein gut abgestimmter Zeitplan minimiert Risiken und maximiert den Projekterfolg.

    Translated
    Like
    6
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Ricardo Martinez

    President & CEO | Empowering Digital Transformation through Business Process Simplification & Agile Project Management

    • Report contribution

    Que tema tan interesante, algo que sin duda a mas de uno nos ha pasado, pero para manejar plazos realistas con los clientes recomiendo ser transparentes y tener comunicación constante. Primero, evalúo el alcance del proyecto y destaco los hitos esenciales. Luego, propongo un cronograma alternativo, explicando claramente el razonamiento detrás de cada ajuste. Ofrecer soluciones como más recursos o un ajuste en el alcance del proyecto también ayuda a cumplir con plazos importantes sin comprometer la calidad.

    Translated
    Like
    5
View more answers
IT Consulting IT Consulting

IT Consulting

+ Follow

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.

Tell us more

Report this article

More articles on IT Consulting

No more previous content
  • You're facing a project crisis with a client. How will you effectively communicate to navigate through it?

    31 contributions

  • Balancing technical excellence and tight deadlines in IT consulting: How do you make the tough calls?

    59 contributions

  • Balancing conflicting client demands in IT consulting. How do you uphold professionalism amidst the chaos?

    19 contributions

  • Facing obstacles in your IT consulting projects?

    32 contributions

  • You're facing scope creep in a project timeline. How do you handle client expectations effectively?

    22 contributions

  • You're managing limited project resources. How do you address client demands effectively?

    42 contributions

  • Your team member reveals sensitive client data. How can you prevent such a breach in IT consulting projects?

    44 contributions

  • You're managing an IT project with high client expectations. How do you gather actionable feedback?

    45 contributions

  • Your clients are pushing back against new IT trends. How do you overcome their resistance?

    83 contributions

No more next content
See all

More relevant reading

  • Business Strategy
    How can you effectively break down a large project into manageable tasks?
  • Product Management
    Here's how you can navigate unexpected delays and still meet your deadlines.
  • Product R&D
    What are the benefits of breaking down a large project into smaller deadlines?
  • Research and Development (R&D)
    What do you do if you're faced with multiple deadlines in an R&D role?

Explore Other Skills

  • IT Strategy
  • System Administration
  • Technical Support
  • Cybersecurity
  • IT Management
  • Software Project Management
  • IT Operations
  • Data Management
  • Information Security
  • Information Technology

Are you sure you want to delete your contribution?

Are you sure you want to delete your reply?

  • LinkedIn © 2025
  • About
  • Accessibility
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your California Privacy Choices
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Brand Policy
  • Guest Controls
  • Community Guidelines
Like
10
63 Contributions