Suppose a research project covers twelve interviews. The client asks for four more midway through recruitment. Fitting in four conversations may sound straightforward to the account lead, but the team must also recruit, schedule and analyze them.
Check the whole addition
Ask the project lead for an estimate and its effect on the presentation date. Check what the fee covers and who can approve an extra commitment. A small request may fit the current agreement; a larger one needs a discussion about price or timing.
Give the client a usable choice
They could agree the extra fee and a later presentation, reduce another part of the work or keep the original scope. Confirm the choice and update the plan. “Please fit these in” leaves the team guessing which other promise should move.
Prepare for the next request
Set limits for changes an account lead can approve and when a project lead or director needs to be involved. Review a few requests that caused trouble: when did the client hear yes, and when did the team learn the effort?
See how we help establish approval limits for team leads.