I've been collaborating with a new client for about three months on a backend-heavy project. Despite my daily updates, the client gets anxious whenever there's no visible change for a week or so. They only seem to feel reassured when they can interact with something in the UI. I'm making significant progress on the backend, but it feels like they don't recognize that. How can I help alleviate their concerns and communicate progress more effectively? It's worth mentioning that the client is great and pays on time; I just want to ensure they feel confident in the work being done.
4 Answers
You could track performance metrics on the backend to show the client that changes are making a difference, even if they can't see them directly. This could help explain the value of technical improvements without needing a visible UI change.
Why is there so much backend overhaul happening weekly? If it's due to feature requests clashing with initial plans, make sure to communicate that to the client. They likely don’t know the reason behind all the changes, and explaining how these adjustments will lead to faster feature implementations can help calm their nerves.
Try showcasing even rough versions of the features in a 'sandbox' format. It's extra work, but it can help your client feel more involved and reassured as they see the backend efforts materialize into something usable.
Have you discussed with the client what the backend modifications are achieving? Presenting easy-to-understand benefits—like improved security for user accounts—can help them appreciate the work being done without requiring full technical details.
Exactly! They might be more at ease if they understand that these backend modifications pave the way for new features.