How would you handle a situation in which you could not meet the contract deadlines?

Instead of thinking on the problem itself, just think of a solution which can lead to enhance the effectiveness of each concerned parties on a certain projects in order to create an action item which can lead to the delivery of project close to the timeline. Delays are always an enemy of a project in terms of efficiency, but to eliminate the "not hitting" of targets, close coordination and cooperation to certain departments, stakeholders, and/or third party contractors would help. Especially on creating a solution that will benefit not only the proponent but also the end user of the proposed project.

si on a dépasser les délais contractuels , je commence a chercher les causes de ce retard justifier par des pv de réunion ou bien des  correspondences qui on étaient transmis au client ,

voir si ce retard est causé par notre entreprise ou par leclient.

* First of all I will explain the fact to the management why the project couldn't able to complete within the deadline .

* Ask the management to clear the way those abstracting the work progress (like design , insufficient man power , unavailability of materials , budget issues , technical issues).

* Make plan in those areas where we struck and involve internally and solve the issue as much and find the solution to succeed the task .  

• Discover and detail why you cannot make the deadlines
• Calculate the cost, time and quality factors which may be effected
• Find various solutions and alternatives and have them costed and their effect on cost, time and quality
• Bring in all the relevant stakeholders and give them all the necessary information to make informed decisions
• Make sure you do this as soon as you know you are not going to make the deadlines

give advance notice as possible if you think you are not going to meet contract deadlines.

add more explanation because sometimes  not all deadlines are created equal when client set in stone deliverable than progress.

renegotiate the terms of contract if being written the right way with honesty.

hire temporary help this will come out of cost and down the profit but approach and worth the investment since you predict to miss the deadlines. 

Never focus on the problem or the person to blame too much. but rather being part of the solution, take for instance this case study.Two years back, when I first transitioned into the role of a Senior, one of our other Seniors had left the firm. My Partner asked me to take over his accounts and finish the tasks. To our surprise, we did not know that the Senior had promised a deadline that was earlier than the regular filing deadline. No one knew about this communication until the last week when the client contact had sent us an email about the status whereabouts. We were all in middle of a busy season schedule working 60 hours every week – this new deadline caused a lot of stress and panic. I was the bearer of the bad news to the client letting the client know about the Senior leaving the firm without notice and how I had inherited his accounts. After lot of convincing, we were able to earn a week more for delivering the work. 60 hour weeks turned into 80 hour weeks and we were able to deliver but in client’s eyes – as a firm – we failed to meet the deadline. It was a bad note to start on a new engagement – but now after two years – things are going very smoothly with that client as I keep everyone on the team abreast of the client communications to avoid any surprises similar to that we encountered two years back

If the schedule will not meet the contract deadline with the present situation, calculate the remaining time and manpower required so that manpower can be adjusted and working time will be increased.

If the work requires time like curing before the preceding work can be done, better inform the client earlier and prepare a revised shedule for approval of the client. Causes of delay should be discussed so that a possible extansion of contract duration will be given.