How do you mentally handle missing a client deadline when it's completely out of your control?
Posted by Clean-Service2997@reddit | ExperiencedDevs | View on Reddit | 8 comments
So, I am at a point where I am experienced enough to not miss many deadlines. I know what is realistic to get done and what isn't.
However, there are at times third variables outside of your control that make it so you are late on a deliverable for a client.
I still find this situation stressful as it usually happens close to the delivery date and is almost unavoidable too. Due to the client doing something that couldn't be accounted for.
Like, what is the best way to handle these types of situations that de-stress yourself and also keep it from looking bad for you?
For context, this is coming from someone who basically never delivers stuff late to a client ever, so we are talking very rarely happening.
How do you handle this without it negatively affecting your client relationship? Also, how do you prevent this from ruining your week or your life outside work?
bashar_al_assad@reddit
What the top comment said - communication, compromise, transparency, making it clear that you "get it" and basically positioning yourself as if you're on the same side as the client against the problem rather than it being you vs the client.
Happy Hour
BoBoBearDev@reddit
Double check acceptance criteria, it is probably out of scope
AmoebaDue6638@reddit
Communicate early, not late. The moment you see the risk forming, flag it with the client so it's a shared problem instead of a surprise. Most clients handle delays fine when they feel informed, it's the last-minute reveal that damages trust.
dnult@reddit
I think the key is recognizing those risks and communicating them early. That's not always possible, but it could be as simple as, "we think we can hit the date, but any delays will cause a day for day skip".
All you can do is be vigilant, and go home knowing you did the right thing, no matter how bad the fallout might be. Just leave it at work and it'll be there when you get back. It's the careless slip ups that look bad.
schellinky@reddit
Re-framing. Remind your client of the value they are getting and the problem you are preventing. Remind yourself that its impossible to control everything and if it was outside your control, don't dwell on it. If it was in your control, try to learn from it and then move on. Very few things in our work life are worth ruminating on for more than a short period. Be honest with your client that you did everything you could to avoid delays and that they are important and not being blown off. Make them feel like they still made a good decision in selecting you. It will be fine. You can't control their reaction, do not assign any self worth to it. If it still bothers you, look internally for why, nobody else can tell you that.
Never-Trust-Me@reddit
I recently missed a deadline due to this wild card. Got everything developed in time but it still wasn’t enough. If I was a week earlier I wouldn’t hav had this issue.
My only suggestion.. develop faster and ship earlier
FirmAndSquishyTomato@reddit
Communicate before you miss. Find a workable compromise.
Transparency always works.
Material_Still1124@reddit
Those who care should be notified as soon as it becomes apparent.Those who care should be notified as soon as it becomes apparent. Consistent re communication is vital. And if it's any comfort, I would also argue that if you're hitting 100% of your deadlines, you're probably high-balling your estimates. Most (experienced) clients expect deadlines to be missed occasionally (not systemically). If dates are never missed, the savvy clients know the estimates are being sand bagged (over inflated). So if you missed one deadline all year, that's a phenomenal track record and you can use that one miss to demonstrate that your estimates are actually competitive.