Delivering on time.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH AT THE START
The actual deadline, and whether it is firm What is required, exactly What you depend on from others
THAT LAST POINT
Dependencies are the commonest cause of missed deadlines, and the most predictable.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Request what you need early, with your own deadline for receiving it.
WHAT TO PLAN
Backwards from the deadline, with time for review.
WHAT TO BUILD IN
A margin, because something will go wrong.
WHAT TO AIM FOR
Completion before the deadline, not at it.
WHY
Submission problems, technical failures and illness all occur.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WILL BE LATE
Say so as soon as you know.
WHY
Early warning allows others to adjust. Late warning does not.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
A realistic revised date, and what is affected.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Go quiet Promise a date you will also miss
WHAT TO REVIEW AFTERWARDS
Where the time actually went, against the plan.
