Keeping things moving

Here, we provide some key phrases you might need to structure meetings and discussions, as well as key expressions to talk about problems or achievements.

9. The right timing?

Mike: OK, slow down. Let’s focus on one issue at a time. Dean, what’s the status?

Dean: Can we all come around the whiteboard? Are we working on the right things right now to get us to our goal?

Mike: Why do you ask that? Dean: We don’t have enough manpower to complete this in one day.

Lucy: I agree. How should we proceed?

Rania: I think we need to come to a decision.

Mike: OK, I hear your concerns. Let’s break this down into smaller stories.

10. Moving targets

Mike: First up, we’ve identified some new pain points. They’re on the whiteboard.

Rania: It’s very late in the day to add new features to scope. I have to document these changes and check them with the stakeholders.

Lucy: Have you assessed the impact of the changes? Now that Dean is off work with a bad back,

I’m being pulled in multiple directions.

Rania: I’ll see if there’s a workaround.

11. Moving deadlines

Mike: I’ve assigned everyone specific deadlines.

Lucy: Are these deadlines set in stone? Surely not! Honestly, that’s a disastrous plan.

Mike: Let’s keep things constructive.

Lucy: OK, how about this? The final delivery date is just after Christmas. We won’t have a full team that final week.

Mike: That’s a valid point. Rania,

what’s your view on this?

Rania: I’ve looked at the budget, time and scope constraints of this project. We could extend the deadline by another four weeks and still be profitable. But, that’s it.

12. The end is in sight

Mike: Can we add this to the whiteboard as a commitment? Nods all round!

Rania: So, do we have collective buy-in, ever yone?

Lucy: We’re all in this together! Mike: Perfect. That gives us a twoweek margin to allow for delays with the sign-off. We also have a buffer to deal with any contingencies, including late delivery of the new computers.

Lucy: Will we meet all the requirements by the final deadline? Mike: Most definitely!

Rania: Fantastic teamwork! Well done, ever yone.