Running a healthy organization requires balancing client needs with agency impact. One tool to help you achieve this balance is the project management concept of the Triple Constraint.
Do you use the Golden Triangle? If not, you’re wasting money and time.
Often referred to as the PM Golden Triangle, profitable teams establish a shared expectation of scope requirements, budget and timeline. These elements are interrelated, so any adjustment to one element MUST have an impact on the others.
Good & Fast - Can’t be the first time you’ve done this type of project. It must be in your comfort zone to efficiently deliver the work at a high quality. Consider charging a ‘PITA’ tax because these projects can be disruptive (IYKYK)
Good & Cheap - “Good” can be defined in different ways – from error-free delivery to a rich, comprehensive feature set. Define this up front and ensure the project stays within budget by clearly communicating the expected level of effort and trade offs necessary to achieve the definition of “good”. Make sure the team understands these guardrails and can adjust accordingly.
Fast & Cheap - This work requires execution to be an exact science. There isn’t room in the budget for trial and error. These are generally best saved to deliver as favors for clients - this work doesn’t add much to your portfolio or demonstrate what your team is capable of delivering.
Managing client expectations and scope requirements takes practice. If your team is struggling, I have ways to help. I’ve spent the last 10+ years managing scopes for multi-million dollar portfolios and can help your team reset. Send me a DM or comment below to learn how.
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👩🏻💻I’m Leah Zalinski
🎯 Fractional COO & business advisor helping executives navigate the challenges of leadership.
🚀 I use my successes with Fortune 100 clients to help small to mid-sized agency leaders accelerate growth, streamline their operations and plan what's around the next corner for their business.
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