How to Ensure Your Team Stays on Track to Meet Project Deadlines
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As a manager, you’re eager to get your team to abide by the deadlines you’ve set. After all, as a leader, you are responsible for your team’s results. If they don’t meet the deadlines, you could be the first to leave.
Top Three Levers to Make Sure the Team Stays on Track with Deadlines
I polled several senior managers on their favorite levers they use to help teams meet deadlines:
Change the scope
Extend the deadline
Give advice
How to Give Advice on Deadlines
For the third item, giving advice, there are several things that managers can do:
First, they can suggest creative solutions to solve the problem at hand that the team may have missed.
Second, they can recommend using a time tracker to better utilize their time.
Third, keep a consistent focus on the deadline including frequent communication and reminders.
Finally, as a manager, revisit how these deadlines are being set. Did you or your team think through it thoughtfully? If not, consider allocating more time to develop accurate estimates, including the possibility of adding more buffer and slack to deadlines.
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