It is also a warning that the delivery date depends on someone else.
Our recent engagement reviews showed how work can stall around missing documents, drawings, stock information, staffing decisions and third-party responses.
A task can have an owner and a deadline and still be impossible to complete.
That’s why a useful project tracker needs more than a list of activities. It should show:
- What must arrive before work can begin
- Who is responsible for providing it
- When it is needed
- Which later commitments will move if it is delayed
Review those dependencies alongside completed tasks. Escalate missing inputs while there is still time to respond, rather than discovering them at the deadline.
This also makes client conversations more constructive. Instead of repeating “we’re following up,” the team can explain exactly what is needed and what it will unlock.
A credible delivery plan makes its dependencies visible.