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Last updated on Jan 3, 2025
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  2. IT Services
  3. IT Consulting

Your IT project is at risk due to vendor delays. How do you ensure milestones are met on time?

Vendor delays in IT projects can be frustrating, but you can still ensure your milestones are met with these strategies:

  • Set clear expectations: Establish detailed timelines and communicate them effectively to your vendors.

  • Implement regular check-ins: Schedule frequent status updates to monitor progress and address issues promptly.

  • Have a contingency plan: Prepare for potential delays by identifying backup vendors or alternative solutions.

What strategies have worked for your IT projects? Share your thoughts.

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IT Consulting

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Last updated on Jan 3, 2025
  1. All
  2. IT Services
  3. IT Consulting

Your IT project is at risk due to vendor delays. How do you ensure milestones are met on time?

Vendor delays in IT projects can be frustrating, but you can still ensure your milestones are met with these strategies:

  • Set clear expectations: Establish detailed timelines and communicate them effectively to your vendors.

  • Implement regular check-ins: Schedule frequent status updates to monitor progress and address issues promptly.

  • Have a contingency plan: Prepare for potential delays by identifying backup vendors or alternative solutions.

What strategies have worked for your IT projects? Share your thoughts.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
25 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Varun Verma

    IT PMO Project Lead/ Project Manager

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    - Regularly check vendor progress to spot delays early. - Look for backup vendors or temporary fixes. - Focus on tasks that don’t rely on the vendor. - Follow up often to push for faster delivery. - Get senior management involved if delays get serious.

    Like
    15
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Jose Bronet

    Senior Leader | Doctor of Business Administration | Harvard Alumni | London School of Business and Finance Alumni | Chartered Manager (Fellow) | Coach | Professor | Engineer

    (edited)
    • Report contribution

    Quick advice for Monday: Implement proactive controls by Scheduling regular check-ins with vendors, setting clear, measurable deadlines, and establishing escalation procedures. Also, monitor progress closely, adjust timelines as needed, and develop contingency plans to mitigate delays while maintaining transparent stakeholder communication.

    Like
    7
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Adriano Martins Antonio, ITIL 4 Master, Ambassador ITIL

    LinkedIn Creator and Top Voice | Professor ❤️ | Founder - PMG Academy 💙 | ITIL®4 Ambassador | Writer | Consultant | Speaker on IT Governance, Information Security, and Business

    • Report contribution

    Gerenciar fornecedores, na ITIL 4, vai além de só “cobrar prazos”, envolve criar relacionamentos estratégicos baseados em confiança, valor e desempenho contínuo. Então aqui vai algumas dicas pra esse tipo de cenário: 🔹 Estabeleça acordos claros de nível de serviço (SLAs) alinhados aos seus objetivos de negócio. 🔹 Monitore KPIs e use reuniões regulares não só para cobrar, mas para colaborar. 🔹 E claro, não dependa de sorte: tenha um modelo de gestão de riscos e planos de continuidade bem definidos. Mais que cobrar entregas, é sobre cocriação de valor. Beleza?

    Translated
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    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    AMRITANSHU PRASHAR

    🔥2.1M+ Impressions |🔐 Cybersecurity Enthusiast |🕵️♂️ Digital Forensics | 🔧 Red Hat | Writer and Tech Enthusiast Medium | 🚀 Innovative Problem Solver | 🐍 Python Programming | Embrace the spark; not everyone has it

    • Report contribution

    To reduce vendor delays, ensure expectations are articulated and timelines and accountability metrics are defined. Check in from time to time to gauge progress made on those timelines and solve any problems that arise. Have contingency plans with backup vendors and solutions, if those delays threaten to disrupt work. Clear communication and early escalation of concerns will keep the project on track. An approach that is proactive and flexible is the best way to ensure that milestones are met despite the potential of outside disruptions.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Valeriana Colón, Ph.D.

    Learning Scientist | Connection Centered IT Consulting

    • Report contribution

    "Proactive management prevents last-minute crises." When vendor delays put your IT project at risk, act swiftly to keep milestones on track. Start by identifying the root cause of delays and working with the vendor to establish a recovery plan with clear deadlines. In my experience, increasing check-ins, setting phased deliverables, and introducing performance incentives can help accelerate progress. Explore backup options, such as alternate vendors or in-house solutions, to mitigate risks. A common mistake is waiting for vendors to self-correct; instead, maintain hands-on oversight, enforce accountability, and adjust resources strategically to meet project goals.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Jose Bronet

    Senior Leader | Doctor of Business Administration | Harvard Alumni | London School of Business and Finance Alumni | Chartered Manager (Fellow) | Coach | Professor | Engineer

    • Report contribution

    Vendor delays happen, but I’ve found staying proactive makes all the difference. I keep constant communication with vendors, pushing for realistic timelines and escalation when needed. Internally, I build in buffer time and identify critical path tasks early, so we can pivot if needed. I also flag risks to the client right away—no surprises. Sometimes, reassigning tasks or parallel tracking helps us stay on schedule despite external hiccups.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Tony Moore

    PMO, Project & Program Management Consultant for hire

    • Report contribution

    To mitigate vendor delays and keep IT projects on track, consider fostering collaborative relationships with vendors by involving them in planning and problem-solving discussions. Incentivize timely delivery through performance-based contracts or penalties for delays. Streamline communication channels to reduce response times and decision bottlenecks. Additionally, explore project adjustments such as re-sequencing tasks or reallocating internal resources to maintain momentum. Always have a Plan B. Temporary equipment etc. PMOLogic.com

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Siddartha Reddy Biridavolu

    Senior Program Manager | Certified Scrum Master® | Six Sigma Green Belt | Agile & Digital Transformation Leader | Fintech & Technology Consulting

    • Report contribution

    Vendor delays can derail project timelines, but proactive risk management keeps milestones on track. I establish clear SLAs, buffer timelines, and track vendor performance against KPIs. Regular check-ins, escalation paths, and contractual penalties ensure accountability. Parallel tasking, alternative sourcing or scope adjustments mitigate risks. Effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and risk response planning are key to maintaining project momentum. #ProjectManagement #RiskManagement

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Victoria Melekh

    Solutions Consultant @Solbeg | Custom Code, Tailored Software Solutions

    • Report contribution

    In vendor-dependent projects, delays are often outside your control, but “active waiting” can turn downtime into progress. Instead of pausing the entire flow, our team sometimes creates mocks or temporary stubs to simulate missing vendor inputs. Yes, it takes effort, but it’s not overhead; it’s risk mitigation. This way, developers stay productive, features evolve, and we reduce rework when the real integration happens. It's a small upfront cost that protects delivery continuity and avoids bottlenecks later. We see it as building architectural flexibility, not wasting time.

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Temidayo Oyedokun

    WIX Website Designer | WIX Website Developer | SEO | Front-End Web Developer | UI/UX | Graphics EXPERT | CMS Expert

    • Report contribution

    Maintain proactive communication with the vendor to get clear timelines and escalate if needed. Identify critical tasks and adjust workflows to minimize delays. If possible, seek alternative vendors or temporary solutions to keep progress moving. Internally, reallocate resources to prioritize dependent tasks. Keep stakeholders informed and manage expectations while pushing for accountability. After resolution, analyze the delay's root cause and implement strategies to prevent future risks.

    Like
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