No matter how well planned your project schedule may be, there is always the possibility for delay. Delays can occur for any number of reasons, some good, and some bad. Whether mandated or self-imposed, deadlines bring clarity to a project. For the customer, deadlines set expectations for product delivery. For the project team member, deadlines set expectations for work effort and performance. For the project manager, deadlines create a time-bound framework for management, providing working goals, benchmarks, and milestones. But, deadlines are not goals in and of themselves. The value of a project is determined by the business need, and it is the project value that should drive the project. To a certain extent, project delays are quite common and to be expected. The unexpected nature of the project delay relates not to a possibility, but to the type, source, probability, and timing. Certain types of delays are highly predictable and can be factored into the schedule before project work begins. Other types of delays may be foreseeable, but cannot reasonably be factored into the schedule in advance. If every possible delay were factored into a planned schedule, planning would take too long, projects would be deemed too lengthy and costly, and would never be approved. The best way is to be proactive to minimize the unexpected. Be aware, schedule wisely, follow a process and communicate often.