Top 7 Delivery problems (and how to actually fix them)

There’s no shortage of drama in the world of digital delivery.

Whether you’re guiding squads through a transformation, juggling multiple clients, or just trying to land something remotely on time without setting off a blocker tsunami… you’ve seen things.

Over the past year, I’ve had loads of conversations across agencies, in-house teams and everything in between, with delivery folks who’ve been through the wringer. And the same themes keep surfacing.

So here they are, the most common delivery problems that seem to crop up again and again, and what you can do to stop them derailing your roadmap.

1. Scope Creep

“Just one more tiny tweak…” said every stakeholder ever. 

Why it’s a problem

Scope creep eats timelines and budgets. What starts as a quick favour can morph into a total shift in direction, usually without extra time, people or budget to match.

How to fix it

• Set clear scope boundaries up front, and make sure everyone’s signed off.

• Track every new request with a change request and share it visibly.

• Use time and cost data to push back gently but firmly. Change is fine, but it needs a price tag.

2. Resource Constraints

No money. No people. No time. Classic. 

Why it’s a problem

Even the best-laid delivery plans will collapse if there aren’t enough humans or hours behind them. Teams get stretched, standards slip and people burn out.

How to fix it

• Create a resourcing plan based on real-world availability, not optimistic guesses.

• Track utilisation weekly so you can spot overloads early.

• Don’t wait until you’re in the red. Raise the flag early and come armed with options.

3. Difficult Stakeholders 

Some want speed. Others want perfection. And some just want attention.  

Why it’s a problem

Conflicting priorities make decision-making a mess. When stakeholders aren’t aligned, delivery slows and tensions rise.

How to fix it

• Map your stakeholders by influence and involvement.

• Set regular check-ins and tailor your updates to their comms style.

• Use visuals and data to bring debates back to facts. It’s hard to argue with a well-labelled burndown chart.

4. Communication Breakdowns

When everyone thinks someone else said it, but no one actually did.  

Why it’s a problem

Poor communication leads to confusion, duplicated effort, missed expectations and surprise delays. It’s a recipe for disaster.

How to fix it

• Make communication part of your delivery framework, not an afterthought.

• Use a shared dashboard (Jira is your friend here) to show status, blockers and priorities in real time.

• Encourage asynchronous comms by commenting directly on tickets. This supports global and remote teams, keeps a traceable record and saves everyone from yet another meeting.

• Never assume clarity. Repeat, confirm and document decisions.

5. Poor Risk Management

The risk log shouldn’t just be a forgotten tab in your project folder. 

Why it’s a problem

Unmanaged risks don’t disappear. They just sneak up later, and usually with a bigger impact. The longer you ignore them, the harder they hit.

How to fix it

• Set up a Jira kanban board specifically for risk tracking, with clear ownership assigned to each item.

• Hold regular risk check-ins, not just at kick-off. Risks evolve, so your response needs to as well.

• Score risks by both impact and likelihood, then take action early, not when you’re already knee-deep in mitigation mode.

6. Quality Control Slips

"We’ll fix it in the next sprint” is not a quality strategy. 

Why it’s a problem

Poor quality work leads to delays, rework and very grumpy end-users. It slows delivery down and makes your team look flaky, even when they’re working flat-out.

How to fix it

• Get agreement on what “done” really means, and make sure it’s consistent across the team.

• Bring QA in early. Testing isn’t the final checkbox, it’s a key part of building right the first time.

• Celebrate quality. Treat it as a delivery strength, not a blocker.

7. Chaotic Change Management

New leadership. New tools. New direction. Same old panic. 

Why it’s a problem

Change is inevitable. But without structure and communication, it sends teams into freefall. Delivery slows, morale dips and confusion spreads like a cold in winter.

How to fix it

• Plan for change from the start. Flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

• Explain the reason behind each change clearly and repeatedly, once is never enough.

• Keep the lines of communication open at all times, even (especially) when you don’t have all the answers.

• Focus on the human side. Change management isn’t about slide decks, it’s about helping people adapt without burning out.

Final Word: From Chaos to Calm

These problems are fixable. Every single one.

You don’t need a heroic intervention or some mythical perfect process. What you need is structure, communication, and the confidence to keep steering the ship, even when the waters get rough.

Digital delivery doesn’t have to be exhausting. It can be clear, calm and controlled.

And that starts with knowing what to watch for.