---
title: "Trade-off decisions under pressure"
course: "PMGT 170 · Get projects done on time"
unit: "Leading the execution"
lesson: 20 of 38
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/trade-off-decisions-under-pressure
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Trade-off decisions under pressure

Lesson 20 of 38 in **Get projects done on time** (PMGT 170), unit "Leading the execution". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Apply triple-constraint reasoning — using the project's schedule, budget, and critical path as inputs — to decide what gives when the project hits a schedule delay, budget overrun, or scope change
- Select a specific corrective action (re-scope, compress tasks, adjust resources, or re-prioritize stakeholder demands) that follows from the trade-off reasoning
- Communicate the chosen change to stakeholders clearly — what changed, why, and what it means for project goals and timeline

## Teaching notes
Use the CrossTown Fitness scenario: the member pulse survey deliverable is 5 days behind schedule and two tasks on the critical path are at risk, while Sam has also floated a scope addition. Frame the decision as something the PM is bringing into this week's status meeting. Walk the student through the full move: (1) apply triple-constraint reasoning against the schedule, budget, and critical path to decide what gives; (2) select one specific corrective action (re-scope, compress tasks, adjust resources, or re-prioritize stakeholder demands); (3) draft a brief update — two to three sentences — to send to Sam the CEO explaining what changed, why, and what it means for project goals and timeline. Stop at the three-sentence update — do not expand into a full memo.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 20 complete: Trade-off decisions under pressure."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Team dynamics under schedule pressure" (lesson 21 of 38), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/team-dynamics-under-schedule-pressure.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Running the daily workflow
Next lesson: Team dynamics under schedule pressure