♾️ The Overambitious Organizer
✅ Summary
A client who adds unrealistic features.
📜 Full Story
Ever had a seemingly straightforward project spiral into a never-ending maze of "just one more thing"? Let's talk about Linda Green's adventure with the client who thought feature requests were like ordering from an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Linda, a seasoned freelance software developer, took on what appeared to be a straightforward mobile app project. The initial brief was crystal clear: create a basic event organizing app with calendar integration and user registration. Simple enough, right?
Wrong. Three weeks into development, the client's "brilliant ideas" started flowing. First, it was "Could we add real-time chat?" Then came "What about AI-powered event recommendations?" And the cherry on top: "Can we integrate blockchain-based ticketing?" Each request came with the dreaded phrase: "This shouldn't take long, right?"
Before Linda knew it, her elegant 8-week project had morphed into a hydra of feature creep, with each new head demanding attention. Her carefully planned timeline was in shambles, and her profit margins were evaporating faster than a puddle in the Sahara.
This fictitious case study was developed with the help of Anthropic's Claude models for educational purposes only.
🛠️ How to Fix This
Here's how to avoid falling into the same trap:
- Iron-Clad Scope Documentation: Create a detailed project scope document that clearly outlines what is (and isn't) included in the project.
- Change Request Protocol: Implement a formal change request process that includes:
- Written documentation of new features
- Impact assessment on timeline and budget
- Client sign-off on additional costs
- Phased Development Approach: Structure the project in distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Core functionality
- Phase 2: Nice-to-have features
- Phase 3: Future enhancements
Remember: It's not about saying "no" to client requests - it's about managing expectations and maintaining project sanity. Your client's enthusiasm for their project is great, but it shouldn't come at the cost of your mental health or project success.