When should expectations be communicated to a team?

Communicating expectations to a team must occur up front, at the beginning of a project, because this sets the foundation for the entire team's work and collaboration. By establishing clear expectations from the outset, team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and the objectives they are working toward. This initial communication helps to align everyone’s efforts, reduce confusion, and foster a shared understanding of what success looks like.

This proactive approach also encourages accountability, as team members are aware of what is expected of them from day one. When expectations are established early, it allows teams to work more efficiently and focus on completing tasks and achieving goals together. This clarity can significantly improve communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle, as team members can refer back to these established expectations to guide their actions and decisions.

In contrast, communicating expectations at the end of the project or only when issues arise can lead to misalignment, increased uncertainty, and missed opportunities for improvement. Regular meetings might help reinforce expectations, but they are not a substitute for upfront communication, which lays the groundwork for effective teamwork from the very start.