Stop the Slippage: 5 Project Schedule Red Flags and What to Do About Them
Introduction
Delays in construction projects aren't just frustrating. They cost time, money, and trust. What starts as a missed task or overlooked approval can quickly grow into a full-blown schedule breakdown. But if you know what to look for, you can stop the slippage before it escalates.
This blog outlines five early warning signs your schedule may be slipping, and what you can do to correct the course. These tips are grounded in decades of real-world experience from the team at Summit Consultants.
1. Missed Milestones and Pushed Deadlines
When small deliverables start getting postponed, it's often the first sign that the overall project schedule is at risk. These delays can compound quickly, especially if critical path activities are affected.
What to watch for:
Tasks consistently rolling forward
Gantt charts that look cleaner than the actual site
Lack of urgency in submittals or trade coordination
What to do:
Review your schedule using a critical path method. Adjust priorities and make tough decisions early. Summit Consultants can step in with short-term PM support to help realign and reinforce execution.
2. Cost Overruns and Resource Conflicts
If the budget is going up faster than the work is getting done, that’s a red flag. Unexpected labor costs, idle crews, or inefficient use of equipment usually go hand in hand with schedule pressure.
What to watch for:
Progress billings not matching field activity
Overtime hours spiking without justification
Resource gaps that create downtime
What to do:
Bring cost control and scheduling back into sync. Using systems like Deltek or PMWeb, we help identify where budget and manpower issues overlap with time slippage. Then we help fix both.
3. Poor Communication and Documentation
Construction schedules thrive on clarity. When updates aren’t shared, documents are outdated, or RFIs pile up unanswered, decisions stall. That slows everything down.
What to watch for:
Different teams working from different drawings
Email threads replacing proper updates
Gaps between office decisions and field execution
What to do:
Centralize project communication with tools like Microsoft Teams or Procore. Set up clear weekly touchpoints. Our team can help build and reinforce that rhythm, training your staff to stay aligned from the office to the jobsite.
4. Change Orders That Just Sit There
Change is inevitable. But if change orders aren’t logged, reviewed, and approved fast, they delay everything from procurement to install. Slow turnaround becomes a silent schedule killer.
What to watch for:
Material delays tied to unclear scope
Trades waiting on clarification
Stale change order logs
What to do:
Create a fast, consistent workflow for handling change orders. Assign accountability and deadlines. If you're underwater, Summit Consultants can jump in to help process the backlog and restore flow.
5. Key Staff Turnover or Extended Absences
A single resignation or extended absence can halt key parts of a project. Losing someone who understands the sequence or systems you’re using can cause friction, rework, or indecision.
What to watch for:
Missing updates or stalled task lists
Increased tension or uncertainty among the team
General slowdown in field momentum
What to do:
Backfill critical roles quickly. Summit Consultants provides experienced, on-demand PM professionals who can integrate fast and keep the project moving while you recruit or reorganize internally.
Why Summit Consultants is a Smart Backup Plan
We’ve helped teams stay on track for more than 40 years, supporting over $1 billion in construction projects across healthcare, commercial, and industrial sectors. Here’s what we bring:
Contract project managers who are ready to go
Deep experience in Procore, Primavera P6, CMiC, and more
Clear communication and fast integration
Flexible support terms from one week to six months
You don’t need to hire full-time to regain control. You just need the right support at the right moment.
Getting Back on Track Starts Here
Here’s how to take action:
Review your current schedule and milestone progress
Spot any of the red flags we outlined
Reach out to Summit Consultants to fill the gap
We’ll help you course-correct quickly, with the flexibility to adapt to your needs.
Conclusion
Every contractor knows time is money. But recovering a slipping schedule takes more than working harder. It takes clarity, leadership, and the right systems in place. If you're seeing these red flags, don’t wait. Summit Consultants can help you take back control and deliver with confidence.
Let’s talk. Reach out today for a zero-pressure consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you provide a contract project manager?
We can often mobilize within 48 to 72 hours, depending on project needs and timing.
Do your PMs integrate with our systems and team?
Yes. We’re trained across all major platforms and adapt quickly to client environments.
Is there a minimum commitment?
Most engagements range from one week to six months, with flexibility built in.
Can you help revise our current schedule?
Absolutely. We can assess and restructure your timeline to recover lost time and reduce future risks.