D3: Negotiating scope and boundaries
Use when: The ask is bigger than the time, budget, or team you have.
The questions
- What outcome matters most here, and what constraints are truly fixed (time, quality, cost)?
- If we can't do everything, what would you cut first while still meeting the real need?
- If I say yes to this, what should I de-prioritize or pause so quality doesn't drop?
- What does "done" mean, and what are the must-have acceptance criteria?
- What decision rights do I have, and when do you want checkpoints versus full autonomy?
Research basis
Fisher, Ury, and Patton 2011; Wilding 2022; CIPD 2026a; Watkins 2013
Get the full field guide
The complete PDF covers 24 situations, 153 questions, and the four listening moves (reflect, summarize, validate, clarify). Download The Questions Leaders Ask field guide.
Workshop
Want your leaders practicing these out loud, with their team in the room? See how Kestryl Edge workshops work.