Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
Your engineering team is getting mixed signals from different departments about what should take priority. Marketing needs a feature for an upcoming campaign, while Sales has promised a different feature to a key client. As the engineering lead, you need to sort out these priorities, align them with your team’s workload, and keep everyone happy.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Engineering Lead (You)
You’re hearing conflicting priorities from different departments.
Your goal: Clarify what's most important, balance stakeholder needs, and keep your team on track.
Role B – Marketing Representative
You need a specific feature ready for an upcoming campaign.
Your goal: Make sure the feature that will boost your campaign gets attention.
Role C – Sales Representative
You’ve made commitments to a client that require certain features.
Your goal: Ensure the features promised to the client are delivered as planned.
Suggested Openers
Engineering Lead:
- “Hey everyone, let's chat about the current asks from Marketing and Sales. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page and can deliver effectively.”
- “I’ve noticed we’re juggling multiple requests. Can we sort out what’s truly urgent and come up with a plan?”
Marketing Representative:
- “We’ve got a big campaign coming up and really need [Feature] to make it successful.”
- “I know you’re busy, but this feature is key for our next marketing push.”
Sales Representative:
- “I’m committed to delivering [Feature] to [Client] this quarter. They’re a major account for us.”
- “Our client is expecting [Feature], and it’s crucial we deliver on time.”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Engineering Lead:
“Thanks for joining the call. We have some competing needs from Marketing and Sales, and I want to make sure we’re addressing both effectively. Let’s figure out how we can prioritize these requests.”
Marketing Representative:
“For us, having [Feature X] ready for our campaign next month is a top priority for boosting engagement.”
Sales Representative:
“I understand, but [Feature Y] is crucial for fulfilling our promise to [Client], and it’s a deadline we can’t miss.”
Engineering Lead:
“I get that both are important. Let’s look at the timelines and what we’re currently working on. Maybe we can stagger the development or break it down into smaller steps. How about we figure out the minimal versions that would still meet your needs?”
Marketing Representative:
“Maybe a basic version of [Feature X] could still support our campaign, allowing room for Sales’ needs.”
Sales Representative:
“Yes, if we can roll out part of [Feature Y] early, it might satisfy the client enough to buy us more time.”
Engineering Lead:
“Perfect, let’s put together a plan. I’ll talk with the team to see what’s doable and keep you updated. Sound good?”
Marketing Representative & Sales Representative:
“Sounds like a plan. Thanks for organizing this.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Throw in one of these mid-roleplay to keep things interesting:
- A new priority comes from leadership needing immediate attention.
- Marketing and Sales escalate the issue due to urgency.
- Technical constraints unexpectedly impact delivery timelines.
Reflection Checklist
As the Engineering Lead:
- Did you facilitate a balanced conversation?
- Did you make sure all stakeholders felt heard?
- Did you propose a realistic compromise or solution?
As the Marketing or Sales Representative:
- Did you clearly communicate your priorities?
- Were you open to finding a compromise?
- Did you avoid escalating unnecessarily?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing too much on one department’s needs
- Failing to propose a clear path forward
- Letting the conversation become adversarial
Pro Tip
Balancing priorities requires empathy and strategic thinking. Aim to understand the underlying business goals and align them with your team’s capabilities for the best results.