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Common Issues

Quick solutions to frequently encountered problems in project delivery and client management.

Overview​

This guide provides rapid solutions to common issues that arise during project execution, helping teams resolve problems quickly and maintain project momentum.

Project Management Issues​

Issue: Project Behind Schedule​

Symptoms:

  • Milestones being missed
  • Team working overtime
  • Client expressing concerns

Solutions:

  1. Assess root cause - Why the delay?
  2. Re-baseline timeline - Realistic schedule
  3. Add resources - If budget allows
  4. Reduce scope - Negotiate with client
  5. Parallel tasks - Where possible
  6. Daily standups - Increase communication

Issue: Scope Creep​

Symptoms:

  • Requests outside original scope
  • Timeline extending
  • Budget pressure

Solutions:

  1. Reference original scope - Document what was agreed
  2. Change request process - Formal evaluation
  3. Cost/timeline impact - Clear communication
  4. Client approval - Written sign-off
  5. Update documentation - Keep records current

Issue: Resource Unavailable​

Symptoms:

  • Key team member sick/leaving
  • Skills gap emerging
  • Workload imbalance

Solutions:

  1. Activate backup resource - Pre-planned contingency
  2. Redistribute work - Balance team load
  3. Hire contractor - Temporary help
  4. Adjust timeline - If necessary
  5. Cross-train team - Prevent future issues

Client Communication Issues​

Issue: Client Not Responding​

Symptoms:

  • Emails unanswered
  • Meetings cancelled
  • Decisions delayed

Solutions:

  1. Multiple channels - Email, phone, text
  2. Escalate contact - Try different stakeholder
  3. Set deadline - "Need response by [date]"
  4. Document attempts - Keep record
  5. Pause work if needed - Protect timeline

Issue: Client Unhappy with Deliverable​

Symptoms:

  • Negative feedback
  • Rejection of work
  • Tense communication

Solutions:

  1. Listen actively - Understand concerns
  2. Don't get defensive - Stay professional
  3. Clarify expectations - What they want
  4. Propose solutions - Multiple options
  5. Quick turnaround - Show responsiveness

Issue: Conflicting Feedback​

Symptoms:

  • Different stakeholders want different things
  • Team confused about direction
  • Revisions going in circles

Solutions:

  1. Document all feedback - Track everything
  2. Identify decision maker - Who has final say?
  3. Present options - Show trade-offs
  4. Facilitate discussion - Get alignment
  5. Get written approval - Clear direction

Technical Issues​

Issue: Website Performance Slow​

Symptoms:

  • Page load > 3 seconds
  • Poor PageSpeed scores
  • Client complaints

Solutions:

  1. Optimize images - Compress, use WebP
  2. Enable caching - Browser and server
  3. Minify code - CSS, JS, HTML
  4. Use CDN - Distribute content
  5. Lazy loading - Images and videos
  6. Database optimization - Query performance

Issue: Forms Not Working​

Symptoms:

  • Submissions not received
  • Error messages
  • Emails not sending

Solutions:

  1. Check email settings - SMTP configuration
  2. Test spam filters - Check junk folders
  3. Verify form action - Correct endpoint
  4. Check server logs - Error messages
  5. Test validation - Required fields
  6. Alternative solution - Third-party form service

Issue: Mobile Responsiveness Problems​

Symptoms:

  • Layout broken on mobile
  • Text too small
  • Horizontal scrolling

Solutions:

  1. Use responsive framework - Bootstrap, Tailwind
  2. Test on real devices - Not just emulators
  3. Fix viewport meta tag - Proper scaling
  4. Media queries - Breakpoints for different sizes
  5. Touch-friendly - Buttons large enough
  6. Test thoroughly - Multiple devices/browsers

Quality Issues​

Issue: Bugs Found in Testing​

Symptoms:

  • QA finding multiple issues
  • Features not working
  • Client reporting problems

Solutions:

  1. Triage by severity - Critical first
  2. Fix immediately - Don't accumulate
  3. Regression testing - Ensure fixes work
  4. Root cause analysis - Prevent recurrence
  5. Update test cases - Catch similar issues

Issue: Design Doesn't Match Mockups​

Symptoms:

  • Visual differences
  • Client rejection
  • Rework needed

Solutions:

  1. Side-by-side comparison - Mockup vs. implementation
  2. Pixel-perfect tools - Overlay comparison
  3. Designer review - Before client sees
  4. Fix discrepancies - Match approved design
  5. Get approval - Before moving forward

Budget Issues​

Issue: Project Over Budget​

Symptoms:

  • Hours exceeding estimate
  • Costs mounting
  • Profit margin shrinking

Solutions:

  1. Identify cause - Where overspending?
  2. Stop the bleeding - Control costs now
  3. Assess remaining work - Realistic forecast
  4. Client communication - If scope changed
  5. Learn for next time - Better estimation

Issue: Client Payment Delayed​

Symptoms:

  • Invoice overdue
  • Excuses from client
  • Cash flow impact

Solutions:

  1. Friendly reminder - Maybe they forgot
  2. Follow-up call - Personal touch
  3. Payment plan - If they're struggling
  4. Pause work - If significantly overdue
  5. Escalate - Management involvement
  6. Legal action - Last resort

Team Issues​

Issue: Team Member Underperforming​

Symptoms:

  • Missing deadlines
  • Quality issues
  • Team complaints

Solutions:

  1. Private conversation - Understand why
  2. Clear expectations - What's needed
  3. Additional support - Training, mentoring
  4. Performance plan - Specific goals
  5. Reassignment - If not improving

Issue: Team Conflict​

Symptoms:

  • Arguments
  • Poor collaboration
  • Tense atmosphere

Solutions:

  1. Address immediately - Don't let fester
  2. Private mediation - Hear both sides
  3. Focus on work - Not personalities
  4. Set expectations - Professional behavior
  5. Separate if needed - Different projects

Prevention Strategies​

Prevent Issues Before They Start​

Best Practices:

  • ✅ Clear scope documentation
  • ✅ Realistic timelines
  • ✅ Regular communication
  • ✅ Quality checkpoints
  • ✅ Risk management
  • ✅ Backup plans
  • ✅ Team training

Last Updated: January 2026
Version: 2.0

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