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Management Bug
By definition, Schedule slippage is a delay in project performance that leads to non-meeting of the initially estimated due date of the project completion. (1)
Experience tells us that schedule overrun is a common occurrence. (2) Slippage may occur when the activities' initiation on the planned start dates is delayed and not controlled. Project slippage is a significant concern for the project team, sponsor, and stakeholders. Therefore, concerted efforts are essential for its prevention. Slippage can produce harmful effects, like the additional cost of human resources or poor organization reputation. (3)
The impact of a schedule slip can be especially severe for companies focused on time-to-market. Missing a market window by a month or week can destroy market share and hurt profitability. The most apparent impacts caused by slipped schedules are:
- Increased project cost;
- Changed scope;
- Compromised quality.
In addition to the apparent risks, the impacts of schedule slippage go much further. When not detected and managed correctly, schedule slippage can:
- Have strategic consequences;
- Be responsible for a missed opportunity;
- Impact the internal operations;
- Be responsible for lowering morale;
- And increasing turnover. (4)
