Postponing

Postponing is the act of delaying an action, decision, or event to a later time. It can be formal, involving official extensions, or informal, simply a choice to wait. A postponement is distinct from cancellation, as the activity is expected to occur in the future, though on a different date.

In project management, postponement moves milestones, approvals, or launches. In event planning, it delays rather than cancels a gathering. In law and contracts, postponement changes deadlines or performance dates. In manufacturing and logistics, postponement refers to delaying certain steps—such as final assembly or customization—until demand signals are known (a postponement strategy).

Reasons for postponing include uncertainty about demand, limited resources, safety or regulatory requirements, dependency on external parties, strategic realignment, or risk management. It can also reflect attempts to optimize overall outcomes when conditions are uncertain or volatile.

Implications of postponement can be both positive and negative. It may reduce wasted work and align actions with changing conditions, but it can increase costs, disrupt cash flow, and strain relationships if not managed transparently. Delays may affect customer expectations and contractual commitments.

Management of postponement typically requires clear decision criteria, timely communication with stakeholders, and updated schedules. Strategies include partial postponement, tiered milestones, or contingency planning, along with documenting the rationale and revising risk assessments. In some contexts, legal or contractual provisions for time extensions may apply.

Prognosis versus procrastination: postponing is a deliberate, goal-oriented choice to delay, whereas procrastination is avoidance or delay driven by motivation or cognitive biases.