Document everything
DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT!!!
Was talking with a good friend the other day and she was asking me how she could get her "boss" to approve a direction, any direction.
It is an easy answer, and I am always surprised how many times I have given thsi advise to others.
Write down the options that you have. Present them.
That's it. Write down the options, breifly, on a single page. One, two, three or however many options you have (better not be more then three though). Under each one, list the pro's and con's, or consequences by doing it with positives and negatives, and so on.
PRESENT IT. Leave it behind. Let them make a decision. They can't come to you and say "now which one gives me this?" or whatever else. Of course, if you would like, tell them which one YOU think they should do, but, leave it in their hands.
I have never had a boss or client come back to me, after I have done this, and ask questions about the options. It's in front of them. Easy to decide.
By the way, don't think that you can do this verbally, because your client or boss will NOT remember. WRITE IT DOWN!!!
Good luck.