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Your project timeline is slipping. How can you ensure non-technical team members understand the urgency?

When project timelines slip, it's crucial to convey urgency to non-technical team members effectively. Here's how to make sure everyone is on the same page:

  • Use relatable analogies: Compare the delay to everyday scenarios to make the impact more tangible.

  • Visual aids: Use charts and graphs to show how delays affect the overall timeline.

  • Regular updates: Schedule frequent check-ins to discuss progress and address concerns.

What strategies have worked for you in similar situations?

Engineering Management Engineering Management

Engineering Management

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Your project timeline is slipping. How can you ensure non-technical team members understand the urgency?

When project timelines slip, it's crucial to convey urgency to non-technical team members effectively. Here's how to make sure everyone is on the same page:

  • Use relatable analogies: Compare the delay to everyday scenarios to make the impact more tangible.

  • Visual aids: Use charts and graphs to show how delays affect the overall timeline.

  • Regular updates: Schedule frequent check-ins to discuss progress and address concerns.

What strategies have worked for you in similar situations?

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Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
21 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
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    Stan Karoly

    Retired (Former Deputy Vice President&Chief Electrical Engineer at New York City Transit)

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    Of course scheduled design review and task review meetings are required. Multidisciplinary if possible. Have all team leads participate and the work breakdown structure with schedules provided.

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    John Sinclair CEng MIMarEST CMarEng

    Marine Warranty Surveyor at ABL

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    So project timelines slip generally due to scope growth and variations, poor planning is also a contributing factor Many projects will offer project completion bonuses if on time and on budget which is false economy and generally delivers a project on time but of poor quality In order to deliver quality I would suggest that bonuses are only paid after 6 months of project reliability and not used as leverage to push a project out when it falls behind schedule

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    3
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    Arivukkarasan Raja, PhD

    Director of IT → VP IT | Enterprise Architecture | AI Governance | Digital Operating Models | Reduced tech debt, drove platform innovation | Trusted to align IT strategy with C-suite impact | PhD in Robotics & AI

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    To convey urgency to non-technical team members, communicate clearly using simple language. Explain the impact of project delays on overall goals and stakeholders. Use visual aids like timelines or dashboards to illustrate progress and areas of concern. Highlight specific actions required from the team. Foster a sense of ownership and collaboration by aligning their contributions with project success. Regularly update the team to maintain awareness and engagement.

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    Rana Singh

    Sr. Engineer Project at Viggo Medical Devices

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    -To help non-technical team members understand the urgency when a project is delayed, I would: 1. Use simple language: Explain how the delay affects the project in easy-to-understand terms. 2. Show the impact: Point out how it could hurt the team or business if we don’t catch up. 3. Set clear tasks: Let them know what needs to be done and by when to get back on track. 4. Keep them updated: Give regular, simple updates so everyone stays focused on the deadline.

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    2
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    Elthon Isejima

    Service, Engineering, and Product Support Manager | Turning Technical Challenges into Innovative Solutions

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    Simplify complex technical delays by comparing them to everyday situations. For example, if a project is like building a house, missing a key delivery of materials can delay the whole structure – something everyone can visualize.

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    1
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    Abdallah Shehata

    Account Project Manager &procurement&Sales&Civil Engineer in Building Materials |Expertise in Project Management, Vendor Relations Cost Optimization Revenue by 20%& Reduced Costs by 15%Holder PMP,RMP,SIGMA, PMO-CP.

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    When a project timeline is slipping, getting buy-in and a sense of urgency from non-technical team members is crucial. Here's how to communicate the situation effectively: 1. Paint the Big Picture (Without Jargon) Focus on the "why": Explain why the project matters to the organization, the team, and even individual team members. Connect the project's success to things they care about (e.g., company growth, job security, customer satisfaction). Avoid technical details: Steer clear of technical jargon or complex explanations. Focus on the overall impact of the delay, not the specific technical issues causing it.

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    1
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    Paul Swartzendruber

    Director - Business Development

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    I would immediately assemble the team and find ways to get the timeline back in track. Timelines are established with strong/important deliverables in mind and I would consider these non negotiable and need to be met. Win/win for the team and the customer.

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    1
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    Yorgos Anagnostopoulos

    Retired Senior Nuclear Leader - Projects

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    Incorporate non-technical support tasks into the project schedule with logic ties to the technical deliverable. Demonstrate that you value the contributions of the non-technical team members to the team. Assure that they understand their individual roles to the project success. Seek their input on how their performance can be optimized and improved.

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    Brynjar Halldorsson

    Owner/President at PerfecTest Corporation LLC

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    I need university masters electronic degree students to develop a test probe that includes Bluetooth circuit to communicate with a windows based tablet to test printed circuit boards

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