Draw clear boundaries up front - "This is in scope, this is out of scope" - and make it an itemized list if possible. First, it pushes that conversation to the

Draw clear boundaries up front - "This is in scope, this is out of scope" - and make it an itemized list if possible. First, it pushes that conversation to the beginning and can make it negotiable. Then it reduces surprises throughout. And finally, it gives you the ability to say "No, we agreed to.." when you need. Nothing is perfect but it mitigates some risk.