The deadline never changes, but the remaining work keeps growing. What should we show?
Forecast-baseline disconnectKeep the approved deadline visible while updating the best current forecast. Show the gap and the decision required rather than quietly moving tasks inside an impossible schedule.
What to do now
- Re-estimate remaining work
- Calculate the current finish forecast
- Quantify the gap to the baseline
- Present scope and resource trade-offs
When to escalate
Escalate when
There is no feasible path to the committed date within authority.
Who decides
The project manager and relevant commitment owner
Example
A report keeps the contractual date unchanged while showing a forecast ten days later and two recovery choices.
Mistake to avoid
Keeping the forecast equal to the deadline to avoid difficult conversations.
Prevent a repeat
Compare forecast versus actual results for comparable tasks, separating effort, elapsed time, waiting and scope change.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Tasks
- Timesheets
- Resources
Keep planned dates and assumptions with the affected task, compare recorded actuals, and attach the revised forecast for review. See the platform
Related cases
- How do we estimate work we have never done before?High-uncertainty estimation
- A supplier date is a promise, not a supported plan. How should we schedule it?Unreliable external forecast
- Should a project continue when the remaining cost exceeds the remaining value?Continuation decision
- How do we report forecast changes over time?Lost forecast history