Every project team has had to deal with gold plating. It’s a natural occurrence in the industry. A client tests something, minds change, and new opportunities are explored leading to new requirements. The target is always moving. What are good ways to deal with this?
The first way is a good internal negotiation. Developers and project managers have to be honest about the requirements at hand. A vague requirement leads to differing interpretations on the side of all parties. This often manifests as a consistent back and forth between the PM and developer. This speaks to a misunderstanding of the requirement.
Which leads to the next issue, a present and involved stakeholder. A PM can only do as best as the vision presented by involved stakeholders. Even if the vision changes at least a good consultant team can receive those alterations and negotiate a fair extension.
This is not the case when in a prototyping phase. The doomed area where a product exists and value is being sold. Here no stakeholder exist outside of the whims of the executive and shopping entities. The team must be prepared to flex and change without breaking and burning out.
Regardless of the situation the key here is communication, thoughtfulness, and giving all parties a lot of grace.
Hyroquu 