Resolving blockers

Mark something blocked

1. 1

   Open the deadline

   From the Risk Center or the deadlines list.

2. 2

   Set the blocker

   Choose the reason and add a note. The note is the useful part — 'chased twice, director back on the 18th' saves the next person a phone call.

3. 3

   Raise a document request, if that is the blocker

   If you are waiting on files, raise the request from the same screen. The two stay linked, so the Risk Center shows what specifically is missing.

The five reasons

• Missing document — you are waiting on a specific file.
• Awaiting client — you are waiting on the client generally, not one document.
• Awaiting approval — the work is done and sitting with someone for sign-off.
• Awaiting info — you need an answer to a question before you can finish.
• On hold — deliberately paused, for a reason that is not the client's fault.

Clearing it

Clear the blocker when the thing you were waiting for arrives. The deadline goes back into the normal lanes, and how long it sat blocked is recorded.

That history is worth reading. If the same client is blocked for three weeks every quarter, that is a conversation to have with them, and now you have the dates to have it with.