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Your project timeline is slipping. How can you ensure client satisfaction despite potential delays?

Project timelines slipping is a hurdle, not a dealbreaker. To keep clients on side despite delays, consider these steps:

- Communicate proactively. Update clients as soon as you know about a delay.

- Offer solutions or alternatives to mitigate the impact of the delay.

- Ensure transparency about the causes and what's being done to resolve them.

How do you maintain client satisfaction when facing project setbacks? Share your strategies.

Control Engineering Control Engineering

Control Engineering

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  2. Industrial Control

Your project timeline is slipping. How can you ensure client satisfaction despite potential delays?

Project timelines slipping is a hurdle, not a dealbreaker. To keep clients on side despite delays, consider these steps:

- Communicate proactively. Update clients as soon as you know about a delay.

- Offer solutions or alternatives to mitigate the impact of the delay.

- Ensure transparency about the causes and what's being done to resolve them.

How do you maintain client satisfaction when facing project setbacks? Share your strategies.

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Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
16 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
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    Jo A.

    Industrial Controls & Robotics

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    When timelines start slipping, open and honest communication is always my first step. Reaching out to the client as soon as potential delays become evident shows respect for their time and builds trust. I also find it helpful to come prepared with solutions that can minimize the impact, such as re-prioritizing certain deliverables or allocating additional resources where possible. In my experience, clients appreciate transparency about what caused the delay, as well as a clear plan for moving forward. Regular updates, even if brief, keep them in the loop and reassure them that their project is still a top priority. It’s all about maintaining trust and showing that you’re committed to their success, even when challenges arise!”

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    Danielle Cavalcanti

    Presidente do conselho administrativo na Simatec | Liderança Estratégica | Governança Corporativa

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    Maintaining client satisfaction requires a proactive and transparent approach. First, it’s essential to engage the client as a key stakeholder in identifying solutions to bring the timeline back on track. Their insights and priorities can help shape an action plan that addresses critical needs while managing expectations. Additionally, clear and transparent communication about the delays, their root causes, and the steps being taken to mitigate them is vital. Keeping the client informed builds trust and demonstrates your commitment to delivering results. By focusing on collaboration, transparency, and a client-centric approach, it’s possible to maintain a strong relationship and ensure satisfaction, even amidst challenges.

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    Carlos Magno Cardoso Cantagalli

    Senior Systems Analyst (Automation Specialist) At TCS Group - Technologies & Creative Solutions | PLC-SCADA-HMI Programmer | Letters Teacher

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    It is important to highlight that delays in the project schedule are due to either the contractor's or the contractor's error or both. Regardless of who generated the root cause, the project manager must be firm enough to admit and negotiate deadlines, but as long as it does not impact the project developers. Communication and transparency are always essential

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    Umar Hashaam

    IT/OT System Administrator l Network Engineering | IOTs | Cisco DNAC | SOTI Console | Microsoft Intune l Production/Manufacturing Plant Technologies

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    Ensure transparency about the cause of delay and what steps have been taken to resolve that cause also keep the client and other teams involved updated about the different phases of progress so that really help in making clients to talk to them regarding such situations.

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    Danielle Cavalcanti

    Presidente do conselho administrativo na Simatec | Liderança Estratégica | Governança Corporativa

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    To ensure customer satisfaction despite potential delays, it is crucial to first clearly understand the root causes of the delays. We would then explore actions to mitigate them, such as adding new resources, implementing parallel tasks, or adjusting strategies. Based on this, a recovery plan should be created, outlining a revised schedule that incorporates these actions, which must be closely monitored and controlled. Effective and transparent communication with all stakeholders is essential for alignment and engagement throughout the process.

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    1
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    John Efiong, PhD, CEH

    ~Certified Ethical Hacker | PhD | DSTN Research Fellow| HLF Young Alumnus | Scrum Master | Google Certified Agile Project Manager | APM/Tableau Certified Project Manager (in line with British Occupational Standards)

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    During Project planning, it is possible to underestimate certain phases, milestones , deliverables and activities. To manage this, one of the essential duties of a Project Manager is to provide regular feedbacks on the project's progress to the client. We cannot overemphasize effective communication on every phase of the project. Where the timeline is slipping, if the client had been along, it would be easier to talk about this.

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    John Buchanan

    Client Manager for Enterprise IT Services

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    Be open and honest with the client. Advise them of the revised timeline and the issues being faced. Work with them to see if they can help with any of the issues and reduce further delays.

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    Saber Salem

    Project Engineer

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    I believe it is essential to maintain customer satisfaction despite potential delays, so you should . Keep your client informed of delays as they occur. . Provide an up-to-date calendar that indicates new milestones planned, which helps manage their expectations - Identify the core tasks and focus on their completion first. . Instead of just presenting the problems, suggest solutions or workarounds to mitigate delays. - Plan regular audits to inform the client of progress and any changes. - Flexibility to adjust plans and provide additional support as needed, which may include additional resources or extended hours to help catch up. - Emphasize the value and benefits that the completed project will bring to the client.

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