You want what, when and for how much?

Seems like the classical and never-ending consultant's dilemma. There are usually three variables with any assignment. How you control these will determine whether you have a happy customer at the end of the day.

The three factors are:

• complexity
  
• speed
  
• cost
  

Here are the real-world permutations the customer needs to know.

• You can have something complicated and fast, but not cheap
  (message: you have to pay a premium for speed)
  
• You can have something fast and cheap, but not complicated
  (message: you can only afford something simple)
  
• You can have something complicated and cheap, but not fast
  (message: you get it when we're ready to give it you)
  

Any other combination will result in poor quality, an unhappy customer, no repeat business and lose-lose scenario. Ergo, it is unlikely that anyone who values quality can deliver something real fancy, real quick and real cheap.

What do you think?