Most people don’t like delivering bad news. If you spot a potential issue, whether it’s a supplier snafu or a difficult client request, it can be tempting to wait and see how things play out. The problem is that small issues rarely stay small. When concerns go unaddressed, they can quickly grow into bigger challenges that affect timelines and budgets.

Plane’s Sneha Kanojia says knowing when to call attention to an issue is a core project management skill. It essentially means recognizing when a team or individual can’t resolve an issue with its current resources. But how do you know when it’s time to speak up? Read on. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Kanojia’s signs that an issue may need additional attention.

Don’t Miss A Thing: SUBSCRIBE To PPAI Newslink

  1. Impact exceeds agreed delivery thresholds. Projects operate within defined constraints for time, scope, cost and quality. When an issue pushes the project beyond these agreed limits, Kanojia says the team needs approval to reset expectations or make trade-offs. Project escalation procedures ensure these decisions reach stakeholders who own delivery outcomes.
  • Decision authority sits outside the team. Many project issues involve choices around priority, budget or scope. When the team lacks authority to make these calls, progress depends on leadership input. In project management, Kanojia says project escalation moves decisions to the level where they can be acted upon without delay.
  • Resolution attempts reach a limit. Teams often try multiple paths to resolve issues within their control. When these attempts stop producing progress, Kanojia says the issue shifts from execution to decision-making. Project issue escalation helps realign direction and prevent repeated cycles of discussion.
  • Dependencies require intervention across teams. Cross-team work introduces shared ownership and competing priorities. For example, a sales team may be waiting on marketing to provide approved artwork or campaign assets before moving a client project forward. When a dependency delay affects delivery and cannot be resolved through coordination alone, escalation aligns leadership. According to Kanojia, this helps remove blockers that teams cannot solve on their own.

If you notice an issue, like a production delay or a request that puts a deadline at risk, don’t just hope it goes away. Make sure you let the appropriate people know. Speaking up early can help teams function better and projects stay on track, no matter what challenges may arise.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Sneha Kanojia is a content marketer at Plane, an AI native project and knowledge management.