When to use it
Use it at the start of any project or request to prevent misaligned expectations later.
How to apply it
- Ask what the stakeholder wants from the work and how they will judge success.
- State what you need from them, such as access, time or decisions.
- Agree the scope, deliverables and timeline.
- Raise any concerns or reservations openly.
- Confirm the agreement in writing and revisit it if circumstances change.
Tip: Skipping your own needs in the conversation is the most common cause of later frustration.