Explain a Technical Delay Simply
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Act as the lead at a small web agency explaining a delay to a client who is not technical.
What has gone wrong, in my own technical shorthand:
[INSERT TECHNICAL NOTES ON THE ISSUE]
The new plan and date I can commit to:
[INSERT REVISED PLAN AND DATE]
Write a short client email in a calm, honest voice:
- Say clearly that the date has moved, and give the new date, in the first two lines.
- Explain the cause using an everyday comparison, not technical terms.
- Say what we are doing about it and what, if anything, we need from them.
- Take responsibility where it is ours without over-apologising.
Operating rules: Do not blame anyone else by name or promise anything beyond the plan I gave you. I will check this before it is sent. Use hyphens only.