How to Make Sure Your Tech Team Actually Hits Deadlines

One of the ways I make my life easier is by having what my friends affectionately call “Jared Rules.” 

These rules remove decision fatigue and make sure I’m doing more of what I love and less of what I don’t. (And protecting me, from me.)

A few Jared Rules I live by:

• When given an opportunity, always order the short rib sandwich

• Always check the faucet functions before soaping your hands in a public restroom

• Always use the bathroom before a flight

• Make sure a project is fully scoped before I take on a deadline

That last rule? It’s made my professional life exponentially easier and better. And it’s a rule I share with every client and friend when it comes to making sure your tech team actually hits the deadlines they give you.

Hiring a tech team is a big investment, and you need them to deliver on time. But if you've worked with developers before, you know that deadlines in tech can be… slippery.

Maybe you’ve been here before: you’re expecting a feature to go live next week, only to find out it’s still in development. Or you’ve planned a big launch, but last-minute issues delay everything.

The reality is, even the best tech teams run into roadblocks—but that doesn’t mean your project has to spiral out of control. The key is knowing how to manage the process, set clear expectations, and structure your timeline properly.

Here’s how to make sure your hired tech team actually meets deadlines—and that you don’t end up stuck in endless delays.

1. Define What “Done” Actually Means

One of the biggest reasons tech projects miss deadlines? Misaligned expectations.

What you think is "done" might not be what your developers consider "done." You might expect a feature that’s fully functional, tested, and ready for customers. But the development team might think it’s "done" as soon as the code is written—even if it hasn’t been tested or approved.

How to prevent this problem:

• Be specific about what “done” means. Does it mean fully tested? Approved by your team? Live in production? Get detailed. (Sidenote: this is one of the ways we help our clients avoid getting “stuck in the build.”)
  

• Don’t schedule meetings or launches until you’ve seen a working version. Never assume something is ready just because the team says it’s done. Ask for a demo before committing to a deadline.
  

• Set clear milestones. Instead of one big delivery date, break things into smaller checkpoints so you can track progress and spot delays early.

I shared 4 more ways you can make sure your tech team meets their deadlines (and super specific steps you can take) here. 

When a tech team consistently misses deadlines, it’s not just frustrating—it breaks trust. If you can’t rely on your team to deliver on time, it creates a ripple effect across the entire business.

But by setting clear expectations, building in buffer time, focusing on problem-solving, and pushing for bigger and better, you don’t just get a team that meets deadlines—you get a team that builds something great.

If you’re hiring a tech team (or already working with one), use these strategies to keep your project on track and avoid expensive delays. Because in tech, timing is everything.

And if you’re interested in adding Neutech’s high-quality developers to your team, on a plug and play, month-to-month basis grab a spot on my calendar so we can chat about your project!