DEADLINES: Effective management and accountability
Meeting deadlines on or ahead of schedule reflects our commitment to excellence and punctuality. To uphold these standards, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Anticipate and Excel: Proactively work ahead of deadlines. Keep in mind that deadlines are strategically assigned by the project manager to ensure successful project completion. Do not wait til the day something is due to begin on it.
- Realize Project Due Dates: The due date indicated in Basecamp signifies the task’s final due date, not the date it begins. Plan your workflow to allow ample time for quality work and review.
- Weekly Prioritization: Regularly review upcoming tasks for the week, assessing priorities and strategizing your approach to meet project milestones effectively. If you have a question, discuss it with your supervisor.
- Vitality of the Deadline Sheet: Our deadline sheet (RHD) is pivotal for RHD in tracking project hours and assignments. Ensure real-time updates to provide accurate insights into project progress.
- Non-Negotiable Deadlines: Adhering to deadlines is non-negotiable. If a project is delayed due to client-related issues, update the deadline sheet and add a Basecamp comment to reflect the cause and notify your supervisor immediately. Missed deadlines may result in probation and potential termination.
- Justified Deadline Changes: If an adjustment is necessary, provide a written explanation in Basecamp for clarity. Delays attributed to external factors, such as client actions or responses, warrant legitimate deadline changes. Missed deadlines due to poor planning by our staff do not merit a justified deadline change. Comment or document any emails from the client in Basecamp.
- Example: Cattle testing had to be rescheduled because trailer had a flat tire.
- Example: Submission do printer delayed one day because client was on vacation.
- Justified Deadline Changes: If an adjustment is necessary, provide a written explanation in Basecamp for clarity. Delays attributed to external factors, such as client actions or responses, warrant legitimate deadline changes. Missed deadlines due to poor planning by our staff do not merit a justified deadline change. Comment or document any emails from the client in Basecamp.
- Preventive Planning: If your scheduled absences or vacation coincides with a project’s due date, complete the work prior to your departure to ensure timely submission.
- Deadline Adjustment Authority: Only the project manager, Vice President of the department, or CEO possesses the authority to modify deadlines.
By respecting and adhering to these guidelines, we collectively foster an environment of accountability, diligence, and professionalism.