Customer has the right to demand but it has to be guided by the terms n conditions in the contract . Have a patient hearing of the demands. , accommodate what is possible . For other demands if involve additional scope inform the additional time n cost required to accommodate it the client is really keen on it .rest shall be politely refused if not in scope & client not willing to pay for it . However polite communication & clarity shall be there with the client team . If client agrees revised budget n timelines be agreed & communicated to the team .

Always go back to the internal and external scope and requirements. If within scope then execute. If there’s a conflict then there’s a very high chance there’s an out of scope demand. Keep a scope ledger and review weekly with internal and external stakeholders. This ensures that they are all aware of the conflicting demands and that they all get a voice on the path forward that best suits the needs for the end user and product.

This is a practical situation that happens a lot. You may heard many times about “moving goalposts”. This, if not dealt well would result in project getting delayed, loss of trust, dissatisfaction and most certainly loss of money. Key is to prioritise based on impact and feasibility, aligning with strategic goals. Communicate openly and over communicate (if needed) with clients to manage expectations and establish clear timelines. Foster adaptability within the engineering team, empowering them to switch focus as needed. Regularly assess progress, stay agile in decision-making, and address issues as they arise, ensuring each client feels valued while maintaining the team's efficiency and morale.

Evaluate each request in terms of its strategic importance, revenue impact, contractual obligations, and time-sensitivity. Create a prioritization framework to objectively rank competing demand. Although sometimes, conflicting demands are a sign that team resources need reallocation. Assess current workflows and consider if automation, cross-training, or additional team members could alleviate bottlenecks.

Managing clashing client demands isn’t about bending over backward for everyone. It’s about setting clear priorities and holding the line. In engineering, trying to please everyone just derails projects and burns out your team. Bottom line: you can’t be everyone’s hero without risking quality and focus. Make the tough calls and be transparent with clients about what’s achievable. When demands conflict, don’t juggle—choose a priority and back it with real impact. If one client wants speed and the other quality, explain the trade-off. Clients respect straight talk and clarity; it builds trust and keeps your team effective.