How would you handle a rapid scope expansion by key stakeholders

Question

What do you do when major stakeholders suddenly want to increase the scope of the project in the middle of the process? What do you do to handle the expectations and not derail the original plan, yet still meet the new requirements?

Answer 1

Here's how I'd handle a situation where stakeholders suddenly want to increase the project scope mid-process:

Assess the Impact - I'd first evaluate how the scope change will affect the project timeline, budget, and resources to understand the full impact of the request.

Have a Transparent Discussion - I would meet with stakeholders to explain the trade-offs and challenges involved in fulfilling the new requirements, so as to align expectations from the onset.

Prioritize New Requirements - Through discussions with stakeholders, I would place the new requirements into alignment to prioritize those changes that are most critical so as not to divert from meeting the original objectives. 

Modify the Plan - Once agreement on priorities is reached, there will be changes to the project plan, timelines, and resources to ensure that the team is aware of the changes and fully prepared for the adjustments.

Communicating to the Team - I would oversee the project myself to prevent any additional scope from causing delays, as well as potentially impeding quality.

By assessing the impact, aligning with stakeholders, and prioritizing critical changes, I'd ensure the project can accommodate new requirements without losing sight of the original goals.