How To Manage Expectations Using TVT

Managing expectations can make or break not only a relationship with your client, but a relationship with yourself. How To Manage Expectations Using TVT comes down to leveraging a few simple components that will aid you in the forecasting process. TVT is a concept developed by Mike Siciliano that highlights a few points to review before committing to the delivery of a service or accomplishment of a goal.

1. Transparency – The first “T” in TVT represents Transparency. It is important to be open with your client or yourself on where you weak points lie, unknowns you have in the process, ulterior motives you might have with a business partner, etc. Transparency is healthy and allows for additional questions to arise that will help manage the expectation of a particular outcome when performing a service, selling a product, or accomplishing a goal. Transparency is essentially a comprehensive view of a problem, and the honesty required before kickstarting an objective.

2. Variables – The “V” in TVT is for Variables. Variables are the most likely component to derail you from reaching an objective. Variables are anything that change which are outside of your control. Variables are anything that is not “fixed” or absolute in the process. Ad development, copywriting, creative development, hiring, firing, process development, etc, are all within your control. Total revenue, search volume, injections, etc. are all outside of your control and considered to be variables. Because we cannot control variables, it is important to factor in a lot of buffer for pivoting variables in your process. Forecasting variables can help manage expectations and allow for you to present a wider margin of error in the expected outcome making both yourself or your client aware.

3. Time – The second “T” in TVT is for Time. Forecasting time correctly can make or break a project or accomplishment of a goal. It is important to have an objective perspective on the time available. A granular scoping process can help make sure that all components to delivering your service or accomplishing a goal are thoroughly accounted for and factored in to the total time estimate. This can include work hours, prep time, injection forecasting, Quality Assurance, and so much more.

Managing Expectations using TVT refuses to deliver promises and refuses to make assumptions. Delivering absolute promises when variables are present can lead to an unhappy client, or mentally exhausted self should the promises be broken. Estimates are acceptable, but it will not be possible to manage expectations when promises are made. Assumptions are the single most detrimental thing when it comes to managing expectations because they assume a component to an objective is an absolute when in reality it is in fact a variable. Assumptions are the result of negligence when planning an objective, and because assessing all variables in TVT is required, assumptions will not be present in an accurate TVT process that will help manage overall expectations.