~ by Alan W
Before you start, get three agreements in place: goals, context & parameters.
Never accept when the client (or partner or collaborator) tells you to just do what you think is best "because you're the expert". Never. When you talk to your client or your team about the idea or the job to be done, you have to get an understanding of the most important things.
What is the goal? What is your solution supposed to do for them? What outcome is expected? What benefit are they assuming to receive? How do you contribute to their end goal?
What is the context? Where will this live/take place/be employed? What will your solution be used for? What is it dependent on? What is dependent on it? Who is the audience? Who and/or what do we collaborate with/compliment?
What are the parameters? What is the sandbox that we are going to play in? What are the rules of the game? What is in and out of scope? What is within and outside of expectations? What are the ‘must have’s’ vs the ‘nice to have’s’ vs the ‘wow’s’?
Goal, context and parameters need to be clearly defined. Before you start. Do not be told that you have to make it up as you go along. "If it could be anything it could be everything."
Don't be guessing. You will be wasting your time, the time of the team and the time of the client. Do not guess or assume. Ask. Ask again. Make sure everyone is on the same page. Interpretation is everything. Repeat how you understand things and make sure the client and team sees it the same way. Keep asking questions. Make notes. Listen. Understand the dots. Then connect the dots when you get to work. First is to understand and to agree on the dots.
Now, set down the actionable steps. Brief the team. Delivery to the team and keeping them informed and making them truly part of this is the most important. Get them into clear roles and responsibilities. Agree on deliverables and deadlines. Be nice. Ask: "How does that sound?". "Does that make sense to you?" You're a team. Give them the space to say "no". You want your team members / client / collaborators to feel confident that they can do it. Ask "Does that sound reasonable?" A "No" answer is perfectly okay. Then you talk about it and find solutions. Your team is the most important when you want to deliver on the benefits that challenge resolution brings.
You can even go back to the client if there are things to work out or to clarify once you have discussed the project or task with your team. This is how client relationships are built, on transparency, honesty and communication. You may even find the the client learns along the way, with you, in fact, this is what SHOULD happen. This is a journey, for everyone involved, and all should reach the other side all the more better for having taken the road together. It is in both your, your team/collaborators/partners and your client’s best interest to get these three agreements (goal, context, parameters) in place to get to your destination while enjoying the ride.
"Solving niche challenges founders face”.
Illustrator: Lisa Williams (Instagram: @artist_llw)