Why Client Feedback Matters Mid-Development
In real-world software projects, the client's vision may evolve once they see a prototype or early version of the product. IT companies that ignore or mishandle such feedback risk project failure, rework, or even loss of trust.
Thatās why managing client feedback during live development is treated as a continuous, structured process ā not a last-minute adjustment.
When Feedback Usually Arises
Clients usually share feedback at these stages:
- After receiving a design mockup or prototype
- During weekly or biweekly demos
- While testing UAT (User Acceptance Testing) builds
- Through bug reports post-deployment
Each stage requires a different response ā from minor design fixes to major logic adjustments.
Tools Used to Collect and Track Feedback
IT companies avoid casual communication like WhatsApp or phone calls for project-critical feedback. Instead, they use:
- Jira or ClickUp ā to log and track tickets
- Google Docs or Sheets ā shared lists of suggested changes
- Figma comments ā for feedback on design
- Slack or Teams ā for discussion and clarification
- Client Portals or CRMs ā for official submissions
Each point of feedback is tagged, prioritized, and assigned to relevant team members.
The Feedback Management Workflow
- Client logs feedback or raises a ticket.
- Project Manager (PM) triages it ā urgent, normal, or enhancement.
- Team discusses feasibility and time required to implement it.
- PM communicates timelines and impact back to client.
- Once approved, the task is added to sprint or current workflow.
- After completion, itās reviewed and demoed to the client again.
This ensures transparency and keeps both sides on the same page.
Handling āOut of Scopeā Requests
Sometimes clients request features not included in the original agreement. IT companies handle this professionally by:
- Marking it as a Change Request (CR)
- Estimating extra cost and time
- Getting written approval before starting
- Logging the change separately to avoid scope confusion
This protects the project timeline while still keeping the client happy.
Soft Skills Are Just as Important
Handling feedback isnāt just technical ā itās also about client relationships. Developers and PMs must listen calmly, explain limitations without being defensive, and always aim to propose practical alternatives.
Companies also teach their teams to avoid over-promising and instead focus on achievable compromises.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you ever given or received feedback that changed the outcome of a group project or software task?
Do you think IT companies should always accept client changes during development, or is there a limit?
Letās talk in the comments
