Prepare for a Tough Scope and Fee Conversation

Made for Architects

Prepare for a Tough Scope and Fee Conversation

Also useful for: Principals, Project Managers, people in Creative

55 min Intermediate Difficult Conversations Prepare for a Conversation Difficult Conversation

Turn scattered project records into a firm, evidence-based conversation plan for explaining how a requested design change affects your scope, fee, and schedule.

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Use this when

You need to address added design work, repeated revisions, delayed decisions, changed requirements, or another project development that no longer fits your agreed scope, fee, or schedule.

You'll need

  • Original brief and agreed scope
  • Relevant appointment terms
  • Decision and instruction history
  • Requested change
  • Work already completed
  • Remaining effort and project effects
  • Available response options
  • Primary adjustment needed

You'll get

  • A dated fact pattern supported by project records
  • You can explain the boundary between agreed and additional work in plain language
  • A preferred position, at least two workable options, a direct decision request, objection responses, and a follow-up email
  • Also flagged every contractual point that still needs verification.

By the end of this playbook

You will have:

  • A dated fact pattern supported by project records
  • You can explain the boundary between agreed and additional work in plain language
  • A preferred position, at least two workable options, a direct decision request, objection responses, and a follow-up email
  • Also flagged every contractual point that still needs verification.

Sample

This is sample data, not your prompt. Pro unlocks this higher-stakes Playbook. On Free Playbooks you can still copy the assembled prompt into any AI.

Sample input

You provide an appointment covering one developed design based on the approved concept, with two review rounds. You note that material brief changes are additional services subject to written approval. Your client approved the concept on May 8, then requested a relocated stair and two re-planned floors on June 3. You have completed developed plans, structural coordination, and a fire strategy review. You estimate 110 additional hours and a three-week extension. You can offer a full redesign, a limited layout adjustment that keeps the stair, or continuation of the approved scheme. You need both a fee and schedule adjustment.

Sample assembled prompt

You receive this recommended opening: "You...
That request affects work already completed...
The appointment treats a material brief...
The recommended path is the full...
You also have two lower-impact options...
You need to select an option...

Part of a collection

Handle the Client Change Without Wrecking the Project

10 playbooks

Learn how to assess a proposed design change, clarify the request, compare realistic options, secure approvals, and document each decision before the project drifts.

Next: Set Up Your Design Change Control Kit

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