While the advice to try a different development methodology is well-intentioned, getting your head around new concepts is probably going to set your timelines back even further.
While your clients may have a list of features the database/web front end needs to have, they will have some key requirements that are more important that anything else. If they say all their requirements are manditory, they're lying - evaluate their business, their market position and decide for them which features their business needs most.
Then offer to deliver only these features within the time required - and because you've left enough time to fully test the key features, you should come out with your professional credibility intact.
You may need some assistance in negotiation skills, to better explain the development position to the client - try
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While the advice to try a different development methodology is well-intentioned, getting your head around new concepts is probably going to set your timelines back even further.
While your clients may have a list of features the database/web front end needs to have, they will have some key requirements that are more important that anything else. If they say all their requirements are manditory, they're lying - evaluate their business, their market position and decide for them which features their business needs most.
Then offer to deliver only these features within the time required - and because you've left enough time to fully test the key features, you should come out with your professional credibility intact.
You may need some assistance in negotiation skills, to better explain the development position to the client - try
Rosette, A.S., Kopelman, S. & Thompson, L.L. (2000). High-performance contract negotiation skills. Product Management Today, 11 (7), 38-41.
Best of luck, [K]