You're developing a mobile app. How can you handle a client who always wants progress updates?

To handle a client who frequently wants progress updates while developing a mobile app, establish clear boundaries from the start. Discuss and agree on how often you will provide updates—whether through weekly emails, bi-weekly calls, or a shared project management tool. This keeps the client informed and reassured while allowing your team to focus without constant interruptions. It's all about finding the right balance between communication and productivity.

I totally agree with the approach, client asks for new integration as they evovle. Frequent communication will help to to find a common ground. Because Agile asks for continuous improvement no matter in what stage the application is.

In the kick-off meeting, it's crucial to clarify and define all expectations to ensure smooth collaboration. For example: Sprint review: Updates will be provided on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, sharing a demo of the user stories completed in the sprint. Live Updates: Provide the client with a KPI link where they can view live status updates. Setting these expectations will help ensure the client does not request additional updates, allowing the team to work efficiently without unnecessary interruptions

To handle a client who frequently requests progress updates, establish a clear communication schedule. Use project management tools to share progress transparently. Provide regular, concise updates through emails or meetings, ensuring the client feels informed without interrupting the workflow.

Define Update Frequency: Establish a clear schedule for updates, such as weekly or bi-weekly. Communicate this schedule to the client at the beginning of the project. Explain Limits: Clearly explain the impact of constant interruptions on productivity. Set boundaries to allow the development team to focus on their work.

Project Management Software: Utilize tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to keep track of tasks and milestones. Give clients access to view progress in real-time. Communication Platforms: Use platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for structured communication, ensuring all updates and discussions are in one place.

To streamline updates, use project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira for real-time tracking of milestones and tasks. These tools offer visibility into the development process, satisfying the client's need for information without frequent contact. Teach clients how to interpret the boards or lists, empowering them to self-serve progress updates and reducing constant check-ins, allowing your team to focus on development.

To handle a client who always wants progress updates, use project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira. These tools provide real-time tracking of project milestones and tasks, allowing clients to self-serve progress updates. Explain how to use the platforms, reducing the need for constant check-ins and allowing your team to focus on development.

During my freelance journey, I worked for a startup where we had to build an app from scratch. I provided a build to the client at the end of each day, which took 15 minutes of my time but helped the client and QA provide regular feedback. This approach allowed us to successfully launch a fully functional app within six months.

Scheduled Reports: Prepare detailed progress reports at regular intervals. Include completed tasks, upcoming milestones, and any blockers. Visual Summaries: Use charts, graphs, and dashboards to visually summarize progress, making it easier for clients to understand the status of the project.

Creating regular progress reports keeps clients informed professionally. Provide weekly or bi-weekly summaries of accomplishments, current progress, and challenges. Ensure reports are concise yet informative, focusing on key developments. Consistent, scheduled reports build trust and demonstrate accountability, reducing ad hoc update requests.

Project status update: sending out a continuous progress report that the client can assess. I use a lean approach to my projects by conducting a weekly check-in. Depending on the level of communication the client requires, this will not impact the progress of the project. A proactive approach is one of the things I find very helpful. Keeping clients informed is a key part of successfully completing the project. I maintain open-channel communication with all stakeholders, including QA, engineers, and the production team.

To handle a client who frequently wants progress updates, create regular reports. Provide weekly or bi-weekly summaries of accomplishments, current tasks, and any challenges. Keep reports concise and focused on key developments. Consistent, scheduled updates build trust and reduce the need for constant check-ins.

Development Process: Educate clients on the app development process, including typical timelines for different phases. This helps manage their expectations. Project Timeline: Provide a project timeline with key milestones, so clients understand the overall flow and when they can expect significant updates.

Educate clients on the mobile app development process, from design to testing, explaining how each phase contributes to the final product. Clarify that some stages may not show visible progress but are still crucial. This understanding can temper expectations and foster patience, assuring clients that quality work takes time and silence doesn't mean inactivity.

To handle a client who frequently wants progress updates, educate them on the mobile app development process. Explain the stages from design to testing and how each phase contributes to the final product. Clarify that some stages may not show visible progress but are still critical. This understanding can temper their expectations and foster patience.

One thing that I find helpful is to have this discussion in the beginning of the sales process. We explain what we have experienced with our past customers and walk them through what they will be experiencing during and after the project is finished. This is where we offer a maintenance or support package and go over that before they sign the contract. This process clarifies our process, what to expect for each step and the investment. Our goal is is eliminate surprises and frustrations from the very beginning.

Open Communication: Maintain an open line of communication. Encourage clients to ask questions during scheduled updates, but make it clear that ad-hoc updates should be limited. Access to Progress: Allow clients to see non-confidential aspects of the workflow, such as current tasks or user stories in a project management tool.

Adopting a transparent workflow preemptively addresses clients' update requests. Share your development process, timelines, and milestones. If using sprints, explain how this method allows for regular reviews and adjustments, keeping the project on track. Transparency builds trust and reduces client anxiety, leading to fewer update requests as they feel more involved and informed.

To handle a client who frequently wants progress updates, adopt a transparent workflow. Share your development process, including timelines and milestones. Explain how working in sprints allows for regular reviews and adjustments, ensuring the project stays on track. This transparency builds trust and reduces the client's anxiety, leading to fewer update requests.

Listen Actively: Take the time to listen to any concerns the client may have. Address these concerns promptly to build trust and reduce the need for frequent updates. Reassurance: Reassure clients that their project is on track by highlighting recent achievements and upcoming goals.

If a client continues to request frequent updates, address their concerns directly. Schedule a meeting to understand their anxieties and provide reassurance. Listen attentively and offer solutions that align with their needs while respecting your team's workflow.

I’ve learned that managing client expectations is crucial for maintaining strong professional relationships. Clients often become frustrated when faced with repeated instances of over-promising and under-delivering. With that in mind, it is important to always provide realistic timelines with a reasonable buffer, ensuring that you can consistently deliver within the promised timeframe. This approach not only enhances client satisfaction but also builds trust and credibility.

Share examples or stories of previous projects where you managed similar client concerns successfully. Highlight the positive outcomes and how maintaining open communication and transparency led to successful project completions. Providing real-life insights can reassure your client and build their confidence in your process.

Flexibility: Be flexible with particularly demanding clients, offering more frequent updates temporarily if it helps ease their concerns, but work towards a more sustainable schedule. Documentation: Document all communications and decisions. This creates a reference point for both the development team and the client. Client Involvement: Involve the client in key stages of development, such as planning sessions or user testing phases, to give them a hands-on understanding of the progress. Set Clear Expectations: At the start of the project, clearly outline what constitutes a significant update versus routine progress. This helps the client understand when to expect detailed updates.