What s the best way to communicate project delays to stakeholders

Question

How do you approach these conversations to maintain transparency and trust while managing their concerns?

Answer 1

From my perspective, communicating with stakeholders about delay in a project is a challenge that requires clarity, professionalism, and solution-focus. Here's how I manage it:

• Any delay that may arise should be communicated to the stakeholders immediately by me. At times, issues must be fronted without masking them.
• I outline the cause for the delay due to external influences, resource restrictions, or the unexpected complications in general. This makes them understand the problem better.
• Stakeholders appreciate knowing what is being done to address the delay. So, I usually present an action plan with changed timelines and every step being made to get things back on course.
• I evaluate the delay's impact on the project overall and inform stakeholders of the effects on costs, timelines, or scope. If possible, I suggest mitigations to these effects.
• I keep stakeholders updated regularly on progress, especially if things change or improvements are made. This shows commitment and keeps trust intact.