Expectation management is a communicative process, a form of truthful disclosure that informs clients, customers, and all stakeholders of possible outcomes.

Expectation management is a key part of product manufacturing and also vital in the delivery of services.

It involves understanding and acknowledging the demands of customers, their expectations, setting realistic goals, and delivering on promises.

Based on the given definition, with no doubt expectation management is crucial in any business, and in today's article, we would be looking at the importance of managing expectations in product manufacturing or services delivery.  But before that it is important for us to understand the concept of customer expectation.

CUSTOMER EXPECTATION

Customer expectations represent the set of criteria that customers make use of to evaluate and judge their interactions with a business.

These criteria encompasses various dimensions: product performance, service reliability, easy of use, value for money, and emotional connection. (Source:www.questionpro.com)

Customer expectations are determined by several factors, including marketing, sales, and word of mouth.

To deliver on expectations, businesses must understand the demands and desires of their customers, and this can be achieved through effective communication, market research and feedback collection.

The process of customer expectation is essential for improving customer satisfaction and interaction with a business, and one way that can be achieved is by setting realistic expectations.

Setting realistic expectations is vital to avoiding customer disappointment and building trust. Therefore, it is a must for businesses to accurately define product features and benefits, create achievable timelines, and communicate potential limitations and restrictions. (Source: Project Management Institute, 2020)

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS

Constant communication and notification of updates are important in sustaining and managing the expectations of customers during production or delivery of services.

Regular progress updates, addressing customer concerns and complaints, including proactive issue management helps to build trust and ensure successful delivery.

After the expectations of the customers have been effectively managed the next important phenomenon to look at would be the delivering on expectations.

Meeting or surpassing customers expectations is crucial to developing a loyal fan base of customers. There are several ways to ensure a successful delivery of service in order to meet the customers expectations, few of them are: Quality control, through testing and timely delivery.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, expectation management is the cornerstone of product manufacturing and services delivery, bridging the gap between customer desires and business capabilities.

By mastering the art of expectation management, businesses can cultivate a loyal customer base, drive repeat sales, and cement their reputation as trusted partners.

As the pace of innovation accelerates and customer expectations continue to evolve, the question remains: What cutting-edge strategies will businesses adopt to stay ahead of the expectation curve and redefine the future of customer satisfaction?