What do you do if your project is behind schedule?

1 Assess the situation

The first thing you need to do if your project is behind schedule is to assess the situation and identify the root causes of the delay. Is it due to unrealistic expectations, poor planning, scope creep, resource constraints, technical issues, or external factors? How much time have you lost and how much can you recover? How does the delay affect your budget, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction? By answering these questions, you can gain a clear picture of the current status of your project and the impact of the delay.

2 Communicate with your stakeholders

The next thing you need to do if your project is behind schedule is to communicate with your stakeholders and inform them of the situation. Be honest, transparent, and proactive in explaining the reasons for the delay, the actions you are taking to resolve it, and the revised timeline and expectations. Don't wait until the last minute or make excuses. Instead, show your professionalism and accountability by keeping your stakeholders updated and involved in the decision-making process. This way, you can maintain their trust and confidence and avoid any unpleasant surprises or conflicts.

3 Revise your plan

The third thing you need to do if your project is behind schedule is to revise your plan and adjust your scope, schedule, budget, and resources accordingly. You may need to prioritize your tasks, eliminate or reduce non-essential features, negotiate for more time or money, or allocate more resources to the critical path. You may also need to use project tracking software to monitor your progress, track your changes, and report your status. Project tracking software can help you stay organized, efficient, and transparent in managing your project and avoiding further delays.

4 Implement corrective actions

The fourth thing you need to do if your project is behind schedule is to implement corrective actions and execute your revised plan. You may need to delegate, collaborate, or outsource some tasks, resolve any issues or risks, or apply best practices or lessons learned. You may also need to motivate, coach, or reward your team members, solicit feedback or support from your stakeholders, or seek advice or guidance from your mentors or peers. The key is to take action and deliver results as soon as possible and as close as possible to the original or agreed-upon specifications.

5 Learn from the experience

The fifth thing you need to do if your project is behind schedule is to learn from the experience and improve your project coordination skills. You may need to conduct a post-mortem analysis or a lessons learned session to evaluate your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and document your findings and recommendations. You may also need to update your processes, tools, or templates to incorporate your learnings and best practices. By doing so, you can enhance your knowledge, skills, and abilities and avoid or minimize future delays.

6 Celebrate your achievements

The sixth thing you need to do if your project is behind schedule is to celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your efforts. You may need to thank your team members, stakeholders, or partners for their contribution, collaboration, or support. You may also need to reward yourself or your team for overcoming the challenges, meeting the expectations, or delivering the value. By doing so, you can boost your morale, confidence, and satisfaction and foster a positive and productive project culture.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?