[hobs]

I think the real point here is that setting expectations properly with both your company/sponsor and development team early, behave consistently, and reinforce if needed with gentle reminders.

I have seen many project managers start to crumble under pressure (as we all do) and decide to say yes to stop management or the client being upset; unfortunately this is a self defeating stance not only for the additional time/cost involved that has the schedules slip, but often because decisions made under emotional duress are simply not good. To make the deadline the features/benefits are generally compromised instead of useful and nobody ends up happy.