Module 3 · When things change
Raising a change early
How to reopen scope without souring the relationship.
Scope creep rarely arrives as a big request. It arrives as five small ones, each reasonable on its own. The skill is noticing the total and naming it early, while it is still a neutral conversation.
A four-line change note
- What we agreed — quote the original scope line.
- What has been added — list the additions factually, without complaint.
- The effect — hours, dates or both.
- Your proposal — two options, and which you recommend.
"We agreed 12 videos by Friday. Since Wednesday, 7 need rework under the new brand guidelines, which is roughly 6 extra hours against 10 hours of capacity this week. Two options: (a) all 12 delivered Tuesday instead of Friday, or (b) 5 on Friday and 7 on Tuesday. I recommend (b) so you can publish on schedule. Happy either way — let me know by Thursday 12:00 and I will plan around it."
Tone rules
- Describe, do not accuse. The additions are facts, not grievances.
- Always arrive with options. A change note without options is a complaint.
- Raise it the day you notice, not the day it becomes a problem.
- Keep the relationship in view: you are solving their delivery problem, not defending your boundary.
Early and in writing is the whole technique. The same message sent two days late reads as an excuse instead of a plan.
Key takeaways
- Scope creep accumulates from reasonable small asks — track the total
- Four lines: agreed, added, effect, proposal with options
- Raise it the day you notice it
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