Humor can work but I’ve had the most success with a three-option frame that makes the tradeoffs explicit. “Given the 72-hour compliance review and current capacity, we can 1) deliver an MVP by [date] covering A and B, 2) deliver full scope by [six-week date], or 3) keep the two-week date if we add [resources] or accept [specific risk]. Please confirm which path you prefer so we can align.”
