The Domino Effect of One Delayed Task

Website projects include interlinked tasks. Subsequent tasks often depend on the outcome of earlier tasks. Therefore, any delay in an earlier task typically results in a delay of the dependent tasks. This is called the domino effect of delays in a project.

The Direction of the Workflow

Website projects are typically made up of front and back end website developers, web content writers, web content citation specialists, designers, web content integration specialists, web content editing specialists, QA testers, and IT Support.

Some of the project teams can work at the same time. For example, some of the front end website developers, content writers, and designers can work at the same time. However, the content and graphics have to be integrated into the website, the links have to be optimized, the website has to be subjected to technical work, and the website has to be tested at the end.

Cause of the Chain Reaction of the Workflow

The development of content can be used to explain this scenario. Once the content has been developed, the citation team will cite and check the content. Once that has been done, the content will be integrated into the website.

If there is a delay in the development of the content, the tasks of citing and checking the content as well as the content integration will start at a later date. This will lead to an inadequate amount of time to optimize the links on the website as well as the technical work and the quality assurance tasks.

Another good example is a delay in the graphic design and development of visual assets. Sections of the Website will also be left in an incomplete state. This will have an impact on development, integration, and final testing of the Website.

Reason Delays are Inevitable

There are many potential causes for delays including the following:

• Requirements are incomplete or unclear
• Information or approvals are still pending
• Revisions take longer than expected
• Technical issues occur
• Changes are made to the project scope
• Deadlines are set inappropriately
• There are communication delays between teams. 

Delays should not be considered failures, especially when everything is done to identify and report the delay.

 Value of Early Reporting

When delay is expected, report it directly to the project manager as soon as possible.

Knowing of the delay helps the project manager in understanding the impact on the task, and helps him in restructuring the priorities, extending the deadline, and notifying the stakeholders.

While the integration team is waiting for the content of some sections to be completed, they are free to start some other work. The developers can use placeholder graphics to continue the coding work while waiting for the completion of the final graphics.

Protecting QA

Delays to earlier stages of work will reduce the allotted time available for quality assurance.

The earlier stages of a project will have a significant impact on the final quality of the project. Rushed QA will likely result in issues and the loss of professional integrity will be apparent.

Reducing the Domino Effect

• Delays will be minimized if the following are done:
• Expected deliverables and tasks are well communicated and understood
• Deadlines are realistic
• Dependencies between each task are well understood
• Progress is monitored on a regular basis
• Flowing problems and blockers early.
• Sharing done sections when possible.
• Notifying the teams that will be impacted when timelines shift.
• Budgeting deadline/schedule slack for integration and QA.

Final Thoughts

Launching a website is a collective effort. Even though there is a division of work and the tasks on a project board might seem segmented, they all work in unison when done.

A single task that is delayed does not always mean that all other tasks will also be affected. The cascading impact of a task delay will be felt the most on the other teams that rely directly on its completed outcome. Good project management means being able to monitor the tasks, understand the relationships and communicate on behalf of the team in advance to mitigate the risk of a delay impacting multiple tasks.