Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
You're starting a new project involving multiple teams and stakeholders. Early on, you've noticed some technical challenges that could affect timelines or how you approach the project. Bringing up these concerns now helps everyone stay on the same page and work together to find solutions.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Lead Engineer (You)
You’ve spotted some technical challenges that might impact the project.
Your goal: Bring up these concerns early, suggest possible solutions, and keep the conversation open and collaborative.
Role B – Project Manager
You're coordinating efforts across teams, balancing what’s technically possible with what the business wants.
Your goal: Help everyone get on the same page, adjust plans if needed, and keep the project moving forward.
Role C – Stakeholder (Optional)
You represent the business side, focused on what the project needs to achieve and by when.
Your goal: Understand any technical constraints and work with the team to find a way forward that meets business needs.
Suggested Openers
Lead Engineer:
- “Can we chat about some technical aspects of the project? I want to make sure we’re all on the same page about feasibility.”
- “I’d like to go over the project requirements to address some early feasibility questions.”
Project Manager:
- “Sure, let’s make sure we’re all set from the start. What are you seeing?”
- “I’m here to help with any technical insights that could impact our plan. Let’s discuss it.”
Stakeholder:
- “I’m open to hearing about any technical constraints so we can set realistic expectations.”
- “Let’s address these challenges early so we can adjust our approach if needed.”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Lead Engineer:
“Thanks for meeting with me. I’ve been looking over the project scope, and I have some concerns about feasibility, especially with the integration timeline with our existing systems.”
Project Manager:
“Thanks for bringing this up early. Can you explain what specific challenges you’re worried about?”
Lead Engineer:
“Well, the integration is more complex than we thought. Given our current resources and timeline, we might need to rethink our approach or extend the timeline to do it right.”
Stakeholder:
“I understand we need to get this right, but we have some tough deadlines to hit. Is there a way we can focus on the most important parts first?”
Project Manager:
“Let’s think about breaking the project into phases. We can prioritize the critical features first and tackle the rest later. How does that sound?”
Lead Engineer:
“That sounds good. We can focus on the key features that align with our main objectives and deal with the more complex parts in the next phase.”
Stakeholder:
“That works for me. It’s important we keep moving, so let’s set up checkpoints to see how we’re doing.”
Project Manager:
“I’ll draft a phased plan and update our timeline. We can meet again to review and finalize. Thanks for a great discussion.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Throw in one of these situations during the roleplay to test adaptability:
- The stakeholder insists on keeping the original timeline despite challenges.
- A new technical issue is discovered during the discussion.
- Another team proposes an unexpected change that impacts feasibility.
Reflection Checklist
As the Lead Engineer:
- Did you bring up concerns without sounding overly negative?
- Did you suggest solutions or alternatives that balance feasibility with project goals?
- Did you encourage an open, collaborative discussion?
As the Project Manager:
- Did you facilitate a constructive conversation?
- Did you explore potential adjustments to align technical feasibility with business goals?
- Did you ensure clarity around the next steps?
As the Stakeholder:
- Did you listen to technical concerns with an open mind?
- Did you balance business needs with technical realities?
- Did you help find a workable solution?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring feasibility concerns until they become major issues.
- Letting technical discussions derail project objectives.
- Not involving all relevant stakeholders early on.
Pro Tip
Bringing up feasibility concerns early helps avoid big setbacks later. Approach these discussions with a mindset of collaboration and understanding, ensuring everyone feels their input is valued.