How did you handle a situation where you couldn't meet a deadline?

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Anonymous · Accepted Answer

S - Sales got a new client and they promised to create a product for them in 12
weeks.
T -   As the program director, I was tasked to manage this end to end, when I
reviewd the High level requirements, it was clear that we will not be able to
deliver this entire application in just 12 weeks.
A - I immediately called a meeting with my team to brainstorm solutions and
create a plan, and a roadmap to develop a MVP, that will have the essential
features & enough UI for the client to start their work.  But since we were
working on 2 high visibility products already, I could sense some resistance
from the team.  I assured the team, that I will work with the client and will
only get the most essential and minimal features out first, and can deliver much
more when they actually have time.  so we developed a plan to deliver one small
feature every 2 weeks, so by the end of 12th week, we will have delivered a MVP,
but not a complete application.  
   Then I setup a meeting with the scientist (client), presented to his team,
went over the features, UI and the main security & compliance safeguards that
will be baked in. During the presentation I realized that the client is NOT
familiar with Agile Iterative development, I explained how they will be at an
advantage, with a iterative delivery, than waiting for the whole 12 weeks  to
see anything.  After a quick walk through of the roadmap,  they realized that if
they can iterate this product, they will be able to get more and more features
and the capability can be upgraded at each iteration.

R - They happily agreed to the MVP in 12 weeks, and then we worked with them for
the next 12 week delivery features.  One of the best client we had, and had
referred this product to be developed at other institutes too, and recommeded to
CIOs at ohter institures

How did you handle a situation where you couldn't meet a deadline?

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