Managing expectations is essential for maintaining strong relationships, avoiding misunderstandings, and achieving successful outcomes.
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Be Clear: Communicate openly with all parties involved. Articulate goals, deliverables, timelines, constraints, and limitations.
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Be Realistic: Ensure expectations are realistic and aligned with the project scope, resources, and constraints. Avoid overpromising.
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Confirm Communications: Put expectations in writing. Use project charters, scope statements, or formal contracts to document and confirm the agreed-upon expectations.
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Provide Updates: Apprise stakeholders by sharing regular updates, status reports, meeting results, and progress notes. This helps ensure stakeholders are in the loop, and expectations are current.
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Manage Changes: Have a process in place to manage changes. Assess the impact of changes on the project timeline, budget, and resources, and communicate the consequences to stakeholders.
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Provide Rationale: Help stakeholders understand the reasoning of decisions, constraints, and plans. Provide rationale and context for any changes that may affect expectations.
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Involve Stakeholders: Involve stakeholders in relevant decision-making processes. Seek their input and include them in discussions to ensure their expectations are considered.
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Address Issues: When there are issues or conflicts, address them promptly and directly. Engage in open respectful discussions to understand concerns and find solutions.
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Manage Risk: Identify and manage potential risks and uncertainties that may affect expectations. Have contingency plans in place to address unexpected events or changes.