Why Setting Deadlines Is the Key to Successful Projects
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Release Date: 04/22/2025
PTO Taking Breaks: Why You Need More Than a Long Weekend
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In the latest episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the real impact of not taking time off. Titled “PTO: Taking Breaks,” the episode is a candid, at times humorous, look at why stepping away from work is crucial, not just for employees, but for entrepreneurs, managers, and developers alike. 🛑 PTO Taking Breaks Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity Rob admits he preaches taking time off but struggles to follow his own advice. Michael shares a cautionary tale about being the only person at his company who could handle a...
info_outline
Why Setting Deadlines Is the Key to Successful Projects
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive deep into a critical—but often misunderstood—element of project management: setting deadlines. This episode goes beyond the basics of timelines and introduces the psychology, strategy, and communication needed to make deadlines effective, not stressful. Why Setting Deadlines Matters for Business Projects Deadlines define a project’s rhythm. As Rob puts it, “the deadline is the finish line.” It’s not just about when code is complete—it’s about when the product is ready for...
info_outline
Building Customer Trust in Business: Turning Mistakes into Opportunities
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In the latest Building Better Developers podcast episode, co-hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche discuss an uncomfortable but essential part of doing business: what to do when you make a mistake. More specifically, they explore how turning errors into opportunities can be a powerful tool for building customer trust in business, strengthening relationships, and creating long-term success. 🎧 Listen Now: Why Building Trust Matters More Than Being Flawless No business is perfect. Mistakes are part of growth. What truly separates successful companies is how they respond...
info_outline
Customer Communication Strategies: How To Improve Client Interactions
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
“The more you can adjust your communication to fit your customer, the more effective you’ll be.” – Rob Broadhead In this episode of Building Better Developers, part of the Building Better Businesses season, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore customer communication strategies. From tone and timing to tools and follow-up processes, they share real stories and practical tips that every developer and entrepreneur should know. Tone and Timing: Keys to Effective Customer Communication Strategies One of the top takeaways? Tone matters. Even when following up...
info_outline
Pitching Your Business: Start Conversations That Drive Growth
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Welcome back to the Building Better Developers podcast recap! This season, Building Better Businesses is all about practical ways to improve your entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, “Pitch Party: Pitching Your Business,” hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche unpack what it means to pitch your business — and how to do it effectively. Whether you’re refining your elevator pitch or creating a full pitch event, this episode explains why authentic conversations are the heart of successful business growth. Why Pitching Your Business Is About Connection, Not Just Sales ...
info_outline
How to Build a Sustainable Business: From Idea to Execution
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this insightful episode of Building Better Developers, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche tackle a key theme for entrepreneurs: transitioning from a flexible side hustle to building a sustainable business. The conversation is rooted in experience, realism, and the kind of long-term thinking that separates temporary income from lasting impact. The Mindset Shift: From Side Hustle to Building a Sustainable Business Many great businesses begin as side projects, but success requires more than passion. Rob and Michael clarify that building a sustainable business means thinking...
info_outline
Product Enhancement Strategies: How to Add Value Without Adding Bloat
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In the Building Better Developers podcast episode, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche share valuable insights into effective product enhancement strategies. They explore how businesses can improve and expand their products and services without adding unnecessary complexity or sacrificing quality. If you’re a business owner, product manager, or developer, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to grow your offerings sustainably in a customer-focused manner. Why Product Enhancement Strategies Matter Rob opens the discussion by pointing out that...
info_outline
Product Placement Strategy: How to Position Your Product or Service for Success
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In the Building Better Developers podcast, in the season Building Better Businesses, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive deep into one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of building a successful business—product placement strategy. This episode explores how intentional product and service placement can shape your brand, attract the right customers, and set you up for long-term success. What Is Product Placement Strategy? Rob opens the conversation by highlighting the critical role of placement when launching or scaling a business. Whether...
info_outline
How to Succeed with Digital Marketing for Small Businesses
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche share actionable insights on digital marketing for small businesses. Part of their Building Better Businesses season, the episode explores how to create marketing that connects, converts, and scales — especially for developer-entrepreneurs building tech-forward brands. Why Digital Marketing for Small Businesses Starts with the Right Message Before diving into platforms or tactics, Rob emphasizes the importance of having a clear message. Digital marketing for small businesses doesn’t...
info_outline
Business Networking Strategies: How to Build Real Relationships That Grow Your Business
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast’s “Building Better Businesses” season, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore business networking strategies that go far beyond the typical card-swapping routine. If you’re tired of awkward mixers and forced conversations, this episode offers a refreshing take on how to grow your business by forming authentic, lasting connections. Rethinking Business Networking Strategies: Ditch the Script Rob opens the discussion by challenging conventional approaches to networking. Rather than focusing on formal events...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive deep into a critical—but often misunderstood—element of project management: setting deadlines. This episode goes beyond the basics of timelines and introduces the psychology, strategy, and communication needed to make deadlines effective, not stressful.
Why Setting Deadlines Matters for Business Projects
Deadlines define a project’s rhythm. As Rob puts it, “the deadline is the finish line.” It’s not just about when code is complete—it’s about when the product is ready for delivery, after testing, packaging, training, and documentation.
Deadlines force prioritization. Without them, projects risk becoming endless cycles of scope creep and perfectionism. But setting arbitrary or unrealistic deadlines can just as easily derail progress.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Don’t confuse code complete with project complete. Always factor in post-dev steps like UAT, deployment, and training.
The Psychology of the Deadline
Rob shares a story of adjusting clocks in his home to help a chronically late family member—an example of how deadlines are often more psychological than technical.
This translates to project work, where teams may pad estimates or set artificial deadlines to force earlier delivery. Agile frameworks like Scrum embrace this by using time-boxed sprints to create urgency and reduce procrastination.
🧠 Callout: Know your team. Some people thrive under pressure. Others need more space. Tailor your deadlines accordingly.
Waterfall, Agile, or Somewhere In-Between?
Michael discusses the contrast between Waterfall and Agile methods. For new projects, spending more time upfront to define user stories and requirements can create more reliable deadlines. In ongoing projects, Agile’s iterative cycles help manage evolving requirements, but deadlines still matter.
Whether it’s a feature release or a bug fix, every task needs a timeline to stay focused and accountable.
The Pareto Principle in Deadline Planning
Michael invokes the 80/20 rule: aim to deliver 80% of the features on time, with 20% reserved for polish, stretch goals, or unexpected blockers. Build slack into the schedule like airlines do with flight times. Customers are happier when you’re early than when you’re late.
⏳ Did You Know? Airlines improved customer satisfaction by padding schedules—80% of flights now arrive “early.” Apply this mindset to your dev work.
Clear Communication is Non-Negotiable
Both hosts stress that if a deadline needs to move, communicate early and honestly. Clients value transparency over surprises. If you’re late because of scope creep, own it. If it’s your mistake, fix it—even if it means eating the cost.
Your credibility is built not on perfection, but on reliability.
Weekly Challenge: Define “Done”
Rob’s challenge this week is deceptively simple:
- Think of a current project.
- Define what “done” means to you.
- Now, define what “done” means to your customer.
- List the steps required to bridge that gap.
Only then can you set a deadline that truly aligns with expectations.
Final Thoughts
Deadlines are less about time and more about expectation management. From internal planning to external delivery, successful businesses treat deadlines as promises, not guesses.
Set them thoughtfully. Communicate them clearly. Most importantly, deliver on them.
🎯 Takeaway: A well-set deadline isn’t just a timeline—it’s a roadmap to success.
📩 Keep Building Better
Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Do you have feedback or questions? Email the team at [email protected]—they’d love to hear from you!