1. Assess the situation 2. Set clear goals and expectations 3. Improve communication 4. Delegate effectively 5. Foster accountability 6. Provide support and motivation 7. Develop a plan for addressing delays 8. Use project management tools

To get the team back on track with deadlines, it's crucial to first understand the reasons for the missed deadlines, communicate effectively, and implement strategies to improve time management and task completion. This involves addressing the root cause of delays, setting clear expectations, providing support, and monitoring progress to ensure improvements. Here's a more detailed approach: 1. Identify the Root Cause: 2. Communicate and Set Expectations: 3. Provide Support and Resources: 4. Monitor Progress and Provide Feedback: 5. Adjust Workload and Reprioritize: 6. Celebrate Success and Motivate the Team: 7. Reinforce Consequences and Accountability: 8. Implement Time Management Techniques: 9. Lead by Example: 10. Review and Adapt:

I’d start by having an honest check-in with the team to understand what’s causing the delays, whether it's workload, unclear expectations, or something else. From there, we’d prioritize tasks, set smaller milestones with realistic deadlines, and improve communication so no one feels stuck or siloed. Accountability and support go hand in hand.

When deadlines start slipping, it is rarely just about time. It is usually about clarity. Instead of chasing timelines, I zoom out and ask if we know what success looks like, if ownership is clear, and if blockers are visible early enough. I have found that aligning on deliverables, breaking them into atomic tasks, and creating async visibility through daily snapshots or Kanban pulses works better than micromanaging. Deadlines are outcomes. Clear systems, trust, and transparent execution paths are what keep teams on track.

Here’s what’s worked for me: 1. Talk openly – Sometimes the issue isn’t the task, it’s confusion or overwhelm. A quick check-in can fix a lot. 2. Break things down – Big tasks feel scary. Smaller steps with clear timelines make it easier to move forward. 3. Keep everyone in the loop – Use one common space (Google Sheet, WhatsApp, Trello — whatever works) so no one’s left guessing. 4. Ask how you can help – Not “Why is this late?” but “Do you need anything to get this done?” 5. Appreciate progress – Even small wins deserve a “Well done.” It keeps the energy up. At the end of the day, deadlines are a team effort. It’s not about pushing harder — it’s about working smarter, together.

I'll try to find out if there are root causes behind the missed deadlines. Are teammates getting enough reminders? Are they comfortable working with each other? Do they clearly understand what's expected of them? I would also want to set a regular team meeting cadence. Something consistent where we can check in, share updates, ask questions, and recognize wins together.

To ensure deadlines are met, I'll start by identifying the root cause of delays, whether it’s unclear expectations or workload issues. I'll then break projects into smaller tasks with clear timelines and use tools like Trello or Asana to track progress. Regular check-ins help maintain accountability and I'll make sure to foster open communication so challenges are flagged early.

My approach to have a successful team - Meet the team 1 x1 to understand the challenges - Look at the data to see where the numbers are dropping - Prepare training plans to upskill them on identified areas - If there Bottom Quartile Engineers, prepare a separate success plan for them - Ensure documentation needs to be upgraded to easy access - Ensure all tools required to perform the task is available to the team with right access & permissions - Plan a knowledge assessment for the team every quarter