Here's how you can effectively manage client expectations regarding deadlines.

1. Clearly communicate: Ensure precise and transparent deadline discussions with clients. 2. Set realistic targets: Establish achievable deadlines, considering project scope and resources. 3. Define milestones: Break down projects into manageable tasks with corresponding deadlines. 4. Regularly update: Provide clients with consistent progress reports and deadline adjustments if needed. 5. Manage assumptions: Clarify client expectations and avoid misconceptions. 6. Offer solutions: Present alternative solutions or phased deliveries if deadlines are unfeasible. 7. Document agreements: Confirm deadline understanding with clients in writing.

A melhor maneira de impressionar o cliente é sendo realista, com prazos factíveis, mantendo a qualidade e as entregas nas datas acordadas. Uma maneira de lidar com a ansiedade do cliente é manter feedbacks constantes do andamento das etapas.

I’ve been on both sides of this equation for dozens of projects. In my experience the problem usually lies with the client who negatively influences the the balance of our three boundary conditions: SCOPE, COST, and TIME. To have a client that both loves and respects you, explain the consequences of changing the above three after the project is in flight.

Impressing clients with ambitious deadlines can backfire. Instead, set realistic goals considering potential roadblocks. This approach shows a commitment to quality and provides a buffer for the unexpected.

Ser realista implica conocimiento, estar informado y con los pies sobre la tierra (léase "consciente de todos los factores y actores del mercado). Eso nos va a ayudar a poder encontrar el balance entre acelerador y freno.

Communication, communication, communication. There's really nothing else to it. Be open and honest with the client, don't try and make excuses. If the deadline is to delay, set out the evidence as to why. There's a lot of fluff that can be said RE communicating clearly, but honestly, just be honest (as I am when I recognise my poor puns!) Honesty builds trust, which is the foundation of any successful client relationship.

Clear communication is essential for managing expectations. Explain the project timeline and any complexities from the start. Transparency builds trust, and regular updates keep clients informed and at ease.

Use a CRM to create a database of client contact information and track customer satisfaction. Set goals and milestones that are realistic, attainable, and reflect clear expectations

Tracking interim milestones and assumptions drives both transparency and buy-in. Go through the steps and time associated with each phase or task, and agree on the commitments to staffing, turnaround times, or delivery. If everyone agrees with the underlying steps, it’s then easy to “add it up” to an overall timeline (with some contingency time). If there’s a concern about the overall timeline—too long or too short—return to the underlying assumptions. “Which task do you think is mis-scoped?”

Poder comunicar plazos, muy a pesar de un ansioso del otro lado, es vital para evitar caer en la creación de falsas expectativas. Preferible que las cartas se conozcan de entrada y, si algo sucede en el medio, informarlo cuanto antes.

A phrase I like to live by comes to mind: "failing to plan is planning to fail". However, I hear you ask, what do you do when no matter how thorough the plan, a surprise crops up that impacts deadlines?! Have no fear, a thorough plan is one that is prepared for such scenarios. Even if the surprise is one that was impossible to envision, there should always be back up plans as to how to deliver the project should said surprises crop up. This should be set out to the client before hand, setting out your control of the project and saying that, should the need arise, you can be flexible for the change but still set within the overarching plan.

Flexibility is crucial when unexpected events affect deadlines. Discuss potential delays and how they'll be handled. Being adaptable to clients' shifting priorities is a valuable trait that can ease concerns about timeline adjustments.

No confundir flexibilidad con improvisación. Ser flexible es estar preparado y preparar al cliente para sortear eventos a surgir. Improvisar es, por ej., dejar pasar esos eventos, o bien conocerlos de antemano y no prestarles atención.

Dar a conocer el proceso prepara e incorpora al otro actor a ese proceso! Cuando se va por un objetivo, en el que uno presta un servicio, nada mejor que hacer sentir "equipo" al cliente.

Clients trust you when they understand your processes. Outline the steps to completion and their contribution to the deadline. This educates clients and streamlines operations, aiding in meeting deadlines efficiently.

Effective progress monitoring is vital to ensuring a project is delivered correctly and on time. The most important piece of the puzzle, and often one which is pushed to the wayside, is the tools you utilise. To effectively deliver a project, you need an effective project management tool. Being proactive in project monitoring means we can catch the cracks before they become fissures. Most importantly in a project management tool is the ability to set out the project progress to clients. A simple, eye catching dashboard can provide a high level overview to executives, insuring both you and the client are up to date on progress.

Monitoring progress is essential, but communicating this to the Client is even more important. During such a communication meeting, you can often find out that the originally agreed deadline may be extended or the opposite - that the Client is open to paying more if you can finish your work earlier.

Todas las herramientas se manejan con conocimiento. Un conocimiento profundo y, sobre todo estar vigentes/vigilantes a los cambios (leyes, normas, resoluciones, etc.). Sin dudas, de esta manera tendremos siempre el control. Podremos explicar mejor y lograr resultados.

Being in the business of change, I've come to understand well how to manage change in a project. First is to realise change is inevitable. No matter how much you plan, the project will highly likely evolve into a different outcome. Factoring this into your initial deadlines, and being open and honest with the need to delay should change arise, is vital. It helps to have some change experts on hand, as they can advise before the project begins as to the likely avenues for change, helping us to plan better in advance. But again, it just comes down to open, effective communication. It really is that simple.

Principalmente debe primar la claridad en cuanto al proceso que se ejecutará, explicando los posibles contratiempos que se podrían encontrar y cómo es que se podríamos dar solución, dado el expertise que se tiene. Adicional a ello remarcar el compromiso se tiene para llevar de forma eficiente el requerimiento y/o solución que requiere como cliente.

Considero que para poder salir airoso y no caer en la trampa de ofrecer plazos que impliquen un riesgo alto de incumplimiento por la auto presión de cerrar la venta, es necesario tener un perfecto dominio del producto o servicio que estamos ofreciendo y mucha claridad de la necesidad que el cliente busca satisfacer, así la conversación girará en torno a la conveniencia de nuestro producto frente a la necesidad a satisfacer y eso aleja la discusión sobre los plazos, una vez que hayamos cerrado este punto debemos explicar con mucha transparencia nuestro proceso y los tiempos que este demanda para asegurar el 100% de satisfacción, recién después de cerrar este segundo paso es que discutiría los plazas de atención.

La clave es ser muy claro con los clientes en los plazos y también definir bien las situaciones que pudieran generar retrasos