# Spot where stakeholders' expectations don't match the plan

Compares what each stakeholder expects with what the project will actually deliver, and helps you close the gaps early.

- Topic: Projects & Operations
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Leadership, Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/spot-where-stakeholders-expectations-don-t-match-the-plan

## Prompt

```text
Find where stakeholder expectations don't match my project, before it causes trouble.

**What the project will actually deliver:** [SCOPE, dates, quality level, budget, what is out of scope]
**What each stakeholder expects:** [PASTE their emails, meeting notes, requests, or describe what each has said]
**Documents they've seen:** [charter, proposal, slides - and what those promised]

Check each stakeholder against the plan on:
- Scope: features or outputs they expect that aren't planned, or that are planned differently.
- Timing: dates they're quoting vs our dates, and phase vs full delivery.
- Quality and level of detail: "pilot" vs "production ready".
- Their role: what they think they'll be asked to do, approve, or provide.
- Benefits: results they expect and when.
- Expectations that conflict between stakeholders.

Return:
1. Gap table: Stakeholder | What they expect | What we will deliver | Size of gap (small / medium / large) | Source of the misunderstanding.
2. Conflicts between stakeholders' expectations that only a sponsor decision can settle.
3. For each large gap: whether to change the plan or reset the expectation, and a suggested message to reset it, honest and specific.
4. Habits to keep expectations aligned: what to confirm in writing, and when.

Quote stakeholders' own words where possible. If I haven't given evidence of someone's expectation, mark it [ASSUMED] and suggest checking with them directly.
```

## What to fill in

- SCOPE, dates, quality level, budget, what is out of scope
- charter, proposal, slides - and what those promised
- ASSUMED

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