Question: If tasks aren't completed by the deadline (if they are) what do you have to do?

Neil Taylor answered on 18 Mar 2015:

Hi Sophia-Paris!

Great question! In typical engineering style I’m going to say that it depends! If you are carrying out some work directly for your company, there is likely to be less of an issue than if you are carrying the work out for another company (a client). If the work has some flexibility in deadline, then this is usually more favourable that work that has no flexibility!

In any case, however, it’s important to establish some sort of understanding with whoever you are working for. It is normally best practice to report to this person on a regular basis to update them on your progress. For example, if you are on a project that is scheduled to run for 3 months, you might agree to email a weekly report, updating them of your progress.

If this understanding is established and you report early that some difficulties are being encountered, then the deadline may well be able to be moved back slightly into the future. There are some instances, however, where this is not the case! In situations like this, you need to find a way around the problem. This will usually involve more time and money being spent.

It also depends on the budget. If you are going to miss the deadline because you have had other priorities, this is probably preferable to missing the deadline because you are spending all your time on the problem – you’ll be consuming the budget and not making any progress!

It’s always best to meet deadlines where possible to make a client happy and increase the likelihood of repeat business. Progress should also be reported so that the situation can be managed.

If you do miss the deadline despite your best efforts, then it’s best to let the client know, apologise, and understand why it happened so that lessons can be learned.

If the deadline is set in stone, however, you’ll generally do everything to meet it – which is why you may hear that some engineers are working until very late occasionally to meet deadlines!

Hope this helps!