Scenario: The Impossible Deadline

Apply what you've learned to a realistic pressure situation.

Instructions

Read the scenario below and work through the questions. There are no perfect answers—the goal is to practice thinking clearly under pressure.

THE SCENARIO: You're the program lead on a critical initiative. Your executive sponsor pulls you aside after a meeting and says: "The board is watching this closely. I need you to confirm we'll hit the August launch date. I'm presenting to them next week." Your current assessment is that August is possible but requires several things to go right. If key dependencies slip or if you discover issues in integration testing, September or October is more realistic. What are you feeling right now as you imagine being in this situation?

What is the executive actually asking for? What does she need vs. what is she requesting?

What are the risks of saying "Yes, we'll hit August"?

What are the risks of saying "I can't confirm August"?

What are options between those two poles? What could you say that is honest AND responsive to her needs?

How would you want this conversation to go? What would you say, and what would you need from her?