I admit, this question may need a tweak. In hindsight, it may underestimate all of you. After all, I rarely hear from my clients that their teams are missing deadlines! Deadlines are consistently met, but at what cost? Meeting deadlines is essential, but doing so without burning out is equally important. Perhaps a few extra words could refine the question:
What needs to change to improve my team's ability to meet deadlines without excessive overtime?
What needs to change to improve my team's ability to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality?
What needs to change to improve my team's ability to meet deadlines when the client keeps changing the goalposts?
Adding these qualifiers helps pinpoint the specific challenges surrounding your team's deadline management.
“12 hours because of bad management is different than 12 hours because something actually needs to get done. ”
Improving your team's ability to meet deadlines well might be as simple as extra hands on deck or as complex as a multifaceted approach that addresses team dynamics, processes, and individual behaviours. But sometimes, minor adjustments can lead to significant improvements in team performance. Here are some perspectives that may help you reflect on what might help your team:
Clarity of Expectations: Are deadlines clearly communicated and understood by all team members? Do the deadlines include milestones and float for last-minute changes?
Resource Allocation: Can you identify resource gaps and, most importantly, make them known sooner rather than later?
Prioritisation and Planning: Are there realistic timelines, considering dependencies, potential obstacles, and unforeseen delays?
Communication and Collaboration: Is there a culture of open communication and collaboration within the team, with regular check-ins, status updates, and feedback sessions to keep everyone aligned and informed about project progress?
Accountability and Ownership: Does each team member understand their role and responsibilities in contributing to the team's success and meeting deadlines? Does everyone know what success looks like - for the individual and the team?
Flexibility and Adaptability: Is there scope to adjust timelines, reallocate resources, or revise strategies as needed to accommodate changes without compromising the quality of work or missing deadlines?
Continuous Improvement: Is there a culture of continuous improvement where you regularly reflect on past performance, identify areas for enhancement, and implement changes to enhance productivity and meet deadlines more effectively?
“I’m proud of myself this week! I immediately asked for more resourcing once I knew the scope and deadline. I’ve never done that before. I got some extra help, but not all I asked for. I still worked 14-hour days for two weeks, but I’m ok with that. This outcome is far better than before.”
By reflecting on and discussing these perspectives, you can help identify opportunities for improvement and implement strategies to enhance your team's ability to meet deadlines - without the late nights!
PS: This article is part of an email series explaining the weekly leadership questions in the Architect’s Leadership Journal. Why I included it, and how you can think about it. You can join this email series here.