Issues with setting deadlines...

Late delivery is a problem commonly faced in most manufacturing and logistical operations. There are many reasons that account for late deliveries. One of the most common ones is that the delivery deadline promised and set was unrealistic.

This happens usually when salespeople go out to the customers and in order to clinch the deal or project, sometimes, they promise heaven and earth, including delivery within a short lead time! But, when the deal is sealed, the entire planning and operational process starts and every nitty-gritty issue begins to surface along the process chain, such as inventory shortage, manpower shortage, new process design, machine capacity problem etc.

There is an inherent behaviour when it comes to deadline setting. When we set deadlines for others, we tend to set very stringent, tight and unrealistic deadlines; but, when we set deadlines for ourselves, we tend to be more lenient and kind, and tend to build in buffer for ourselves. This is another practice of double-standards in life.