How would you handle a situation where a client requests extensive revisions close to the deadline?

Revising isn't the problem, the consequences of it when there's not enough time is what might be the problem. Before going ahead with the revisions, you might want to discuss the potential impact of the said revision and see if there could be a slight extension to the deadline. That way, you're realistic with outcome and impact. Set realistic timeframe, communicate clearly and do what can be done with minimal consequences

Early in my career, this situation would have sent me into panic mode. These days, I consider it a challenge. First, I would explore every option to determine how crucial the revision is to the campaign. If the revision can't be downplayed or repositioned, I would present the options, the biggest being cost. If you have the budget, you can accomplish almost anything. The next option is delaying the campaign launch. All the while managing the client's expectations, knowing that during a time crunch, unexpected challenges often arise. At the end of the day, my motto is "All you can do is all you can do." If there is fallout due to the inability to satisfy the request, I know I did my best. Sometimes, that's all you can settle for.

My takeaway from dealing with this situation more than once is having the temerity to tell your client NO. If they request subtle tweaks, of course your role is to accommodate their wishes. But making wholesale changes late in the game will seldom achieve your client's goals, and could damage your credibility when their expectations aren't realized. My suggestion is to remind the client of the original goals and tactics we designed to achieve them. "Keep the main thing the main thing."

I feel setting the right expectation and helping them understand our deadlines is key. Set the expectations on what kind of changes could happen and which would not be possible. If you don’t set those expectations you are just inviting those behaviors moving forward.

The client is king. Their satisfaction should be my topmost concern. That said, I would subtly tell the my client how we could devise a middle-path where the client thinks over their suggestions and only asks me to make the changes without having to repeatedly edit and re-edit.

I’d say be absolutely strict about deadlines. You are after all, doing what’s best for the client. But also assess the overall impact if you take up the last minute change and if you choose to let it go. The bigger picture always wins.

🎯 Prioritize Tasks 📋 Breakdown Revisions: Divide the changes into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the workload seem less daunting and more achievable. 🚀 Tackle Critical Items First: Focus on the most important revisions to ensure substantial progress. Prioritizing tasks ensures that essential changes are addressed promptly. 📈 Regular Updates: Keep your client informed about your progress and any challenges. Transparency in progress helps manage expectations and reduces anxiety.

In my experience prioritizing task when struggling to meet deadlines has always proven beneficial. There is task which has to be done with not enough time. Prioritizing will necessitate taking into consideration the most urgent and critical changes into consideration first, and other minimal task in regressive order. Planning, time management and strategic thinking are very important soft skills to adopt in these times.

If the changes are extensive, work with the client to prioritize the most critical revisions. Identify which changes are necessary for the deadline and which can be postponed.

As someone who has a hard time saying no to people, I did suffer owing to this. There had been instances where our team had to go back and forth on the approved creatives, just because the client felt it would be better that way. It's only after experiencing this, I started to have an open dialogue with my clients and make them understand that we would need more time in case of last minute changes. Now, I wouldn't mind putting my foot down to stand up for my team.

The best way is to start by acknowledging client’s requirements and the benefits client foresees in additional scope. However, this acknowledgement should be intelligently followed with a discussion of potential impact with respect to resource availability, project schedule & budget, and identification of short term and long term action plan, thereby filtering the wish-list to ‘MUST DO’ items that require immediate investment now in the best interest of the business. Trade-offs for any change in scope (such as cost, timelines, project returns etc.) must be clearly communicated and agreed upon among all stakeholders.

💬 Open Dialogue 👂 Understand Concerns: Engage with your client to grasp the reasons behind the revisions. Understanding the ‘why’ can provide insights into better addressing their needs. 🛠️ Informed Decisions: Use this understanding to align the final product with the client's vision. Making informed decisions ensures that revisions meet the client's expectations. 🏗️ Build Trust: Clear communication sets realistic expectations and strengthens your working relationship. Trust is the foundation of any successful client relationship.

If a client wants revisions, that's fine. That also has implications for the deadline and/or cost and/or quality. So, it's a choice and I would present it like that. Nothing to get dramatic about. Sometimes the best ideas come at the last minute ( I know they often do with me), sometimes it's reassurance that's needed. Also, invoicing in advance and having clear processes and deliverables helps to reduce any anxiety you might feel at times like these.

If the requested revisions are too extensive to complete within the original deadline, discuss the possibility of extending the deadline and explain the impact on quality and deliverability if an extension is not granted.

Deadlines are not written in stone as they once were. After COVID, it became clear that alternatives are better than total withdrawal and failure to complete projects. It may be possible to rework the original in phases or to enlist assistance from the client. AI also may be brought into the task to provide a rough draft for polishing. Revision usually is faster than writing from scratch. Future work likely will depend upon successfully meeting this challenge.

🛠️ Offer Solutions 📅 Propose Alternatives: Suggest a new timeline or a phased approach to meet the revised requirements. Offering alternatives shows flexibility and a willingness to find workable solutions. 🔄 Phase Deliverables: Deliver critical parts by the original deadline and the rest subsequently. Phased delivery ensures that urgent needs are met while maintaining overall quality. 💡 Proactive Approach: Demonstrate your commitment to quality and client satisfaction. Being proactive reassures the client of your dedication and professionalism.

⏳ Manage Time 🕒 Time-Tracking Tools: Use tools to monitor task durations and adjust your workflow. Efficient time management is crucial for meeting deadlines. 🚫 Eliminate Distractions: Focus entirely on the task at hand to maximize productivity. Minimizing distractions ensures that you can work more effectively. 📆 Reschedule if Needed: Allocate more time to the project by rearranging your schedule. Flexibility in scheduling can help accommodate last-minute changes.

🤝 Stay Professional 😌 Maintain Composure: Approach the situation with a calm and problem-solving mindset. Professionalism in handling stress reflects well on you as a reliable partner. 🌟 Uphold Professionalism: How you handle challenges can significantly impact your career and client relationships. Professional demeanor is key to building a strong reputation. 📈 Positive Relationship: Professionalism helps maintain a positive rapport with your client. Positive client relationships lead to repeat business and referrals.

Setting expectations – in writing – at the beginning goes a long way in mitigating situations related to this topic. ➡️ Ensure all decision-makers are identified, including their role in the decision-making journey. ➡️ Lay out the process in detail, highlighting critical junctures where the client will be required to sign-off before advancing to the next stage. ➡️ Include clear instruction on what revisions are included and what will be extra charges. ➡️ Indicate how you will communicate budget usage. ➡️ Ensure they are aware at what part of the process additional revisions will incur additional costs. ➡️ Have all parties sign this document and provide copies to refer to. Then....communicate communicate communicate.

🌟 Here’s What Else to Consider 📖 Share Insights: Include real-world examples or stories that illustrate successful handling of last-minute revisions. Real-life examples can provide valuable insights and learning opportunities. 🤔 Encourage Feedback: Invite your client to share their thoughts on the process to improve future interactions. Feedback helps in continuous improvement and client satisfaction. 📊 Measure Success: Reflect on the process to refine your approach for future projects. Analyzing the outcomes helps in enhancing future project management strategies.

Reflexão Pós-Projeto: - Análise do Processo: Após a conclusão do projeto, reviso o processo para identificar áreas de melhoria para futuros projetos. - Lições Aprendidas: Documentar as lições aprendidas para melhorar o gerenciamento de revisões extensas e prazos apertados em projetos futuros.

What is key here is what had been agreed on right from the start: how many times will editing be done before settling for the final, who else needs to give input and have they been consulted. This will reduce last minute, uncalled for changes.

If I'm asked by a client to revise content close to a deadline, then I feel there's been a misstep earlier on. When I start the project, I discuss timelines and expectations with my clients. A situation where this arises means I haven't discussed it clearly enough. If that happens, I make sure to discuss how quality might be affected and get their input on why the revisions are important.