Updated September 2026: in June 2020 I hoped my manager would tell the onsite team we would wait for final client requirements before more work. Instead, he asked me for a status update, and then offered no support while more tasks arrived. I have rewritten it into advice on pushing back on work while requirements are unconfirmed.
I prioritised the onsite team's task list and worked through it. I hoped my manager would tell them we would continue once the client confirmed requirements. When he asked for the status of open tasks, I updated him in detail, expecting support. He simply closed the conversation, and more tasks kept arriving.
Is it reasonable to pause work until requirements are final?
Partly. Pausing everything can delay the proposal. Continuing without limits leads to repeated rework. The balance is to finish work that is stable and to hold work that depends on unconfirmed requirements.
How do you propose that balance?
- Split tasks into "stable" and "depends on client answers".
- Complete the stable tasks promptly.
- For the rest, state what answers are needed and from whom.
- Agree that dependent tasks start once answers arrive.
What if your manager will not raise it?
Raise it yourself with the onsite team, politely, with your manager copied: "Items 4 to 6 depend on the client's volume figures; we will complete them once those arrive." Framed around the client, it is hard to object to.
Why did giving a status update not lead to support?
Because a status update describes the work but does not ask for anything. Pair it with a request: "Can you confirm with onsite that we pause items 4 to 6?" A specific ask gets a specific answer.
How do you avoid feeling unsupported?
Build other allies: a delivery lead or account manager who understands the work. Support does not have to come only from your line manager.
How do you keep the onsite team on side?
Deliver the stable tasks quickly and well. A team that sees fast progress on what can be done is much more willing to wait for the rest.
What should you record?
Which tasks were completed, which were paused and why.