ABSTRACT
When schedule slippage on a software project becomes known, the first thought is usually that some major calamities have befallen the project. In reality, however, the schedule has slipped imperceptibly but inexorably. The idea that major calamities and upheavals have occurred is easier to cope with because any number of solutions can be brought to bear on the problem. For example, new and major resources can be assigned to the project to alleviate the situation, a radical reorganization can be made to offset losses, or new approaches may be invented to recoup the lost time. These examples indicate that the entire organization recognizes the situation and rises to the occasion.
