To avoid future conflicts, which approach to setting expectations is recommended?

To avoid future conflicts, which approach to setting expectations is recommended?

• A. Focus only on budget
• B. Define success criteria, roles, timelines, decision rights; document agreed norms and review
• C. Avoid documenting norms
• D. Let stakeholders decide without clarity

Answer: (B)

Clear, agreed-upon expectations guide how a project unfolds. Defining success criteria, roles, timelines, and decision rights, and putting those norms in writing with a plan to review keeps everyone on the same page. A documented reference plus regular check-ins provides a basis for accountability, helps resolve disagreements quickly, and ensures decisions are made by the right people at the right time. It also sets a measurable target and a method to adjust as circumstances change, reducing ambiguity and drift. Focusing only on budget leaves out other critical expectations like what “done” looks like, who handles approvals, and when changes are allowed. Avoiding documentation of norms leads to misalignment and inconsistent actions. Letting stakeholders decide without clarity tends to produce conflicting priorities and power struggles.

Clear, agreed-upon expectations guide how a project unfolds. Defining success criteria, roles, timelines, and decision rights, and putting those norms in writing with a plan to review keeps everyone on the same page. A documented reference plus regular check-ins provides a basis for accountability, helps resolve disagreements quickly, and ensures decisions are made by the right people at the right time. It also sets a measurable target and a method to adjust as circumstances change, reducing ambiguity and drift.

Focusing only on budget leaves out other critical expectations like what “done” looks like, who handles approvals, and when changes are allowed. Avoiding documentation of norms leads to misalignment and inconsistent actions. Letting stakeholders decide without clarity tends to produce conflicting priorities and power struggles.