“Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” — Parkinson’s Law
Spending time on your business is always a challenge. We’ve all heard the advice: “Don’t just work in your business. Work on your business.” That’s easier said than done—especially when you’re juggling client demands, internal operations, or just trying to keep the lights on.
At DisplayGround, we build websites and digital tools designed to grow with our clients’ businesses. And one thing we’ve noticed—whether it’s a complete redesign or a new feature rollout—is that progress often hinges on one powerful tool: the hard fast deadline.
When used wisely, a hard fast deadline is a forcing function. It lights a fire. It brings focus. It gets things done. But in the world of digital, where complexity can be invisible and the path forward isn’t always linear, these deadlines can also backfire—badly.
Let’s unpack both sides of the equation.
The Power of a Hard Fast Deadline
1. It clarifies priorities.
With a hard fast deadline on the calendar, it becomes easier to cut the fluff. What’s essential gets done. What isn’t falls away. The deadline becomes a razor that sharpens focus.
2. It breaks inertia.
Internal projects often get stuck in the “someday” column. A hard fast deadline moves them into “right now.” That shift creates momentum—across leadership, design, and development.
3. It creates accountability.
Announcing a launch date—internally or publicly—turns an intention into a commitment. That commitment generates forward motion and keeps the project visible.
4. It aligns the team.
Designers, developers, copywriters, and stakeholders all start marching to the same beat. Timelines get clearer. Decisions happen faster. The deadline becomes a shared compass.
Where Hard Fast Deadlines Go Wrong
1. They ignore complexity.
That “quick” CRM integration? It needs an API key, a custom webhook, and input from legal. Digital projects are often deeper than they look, and unrealistic deadlines can lead to frustration—or failure.
2. They sacrifice strategy.
When you rush to hit a date, you risk cutting corners on UX, brand alignment, or even basic functionality. You might ship something fast, but not something effective.
3. They drain morale.
A hard fast deadline that doesn’t account for real-world constraints can leave your team burnt out. The energy that should’ve gone into the product gets spent fighting the clock.
4. They set you up for painful transitions.
To hit a deadline, you might reach for a plug-and-play SaaS tool just to get something across the finish line. It works—for now. But soon you’re stuck with snowballing monthly fees, feature limitations, or branding constraints. When you try to migrate to your own platform, you realize it’s a heavy lift. Custom development, data migration, and integration work pile up. You’ve doubled your workload—and your expenses. What started as a shortcut becomes a costly detour.
When to Go Quick & Dirty vs. Take Your Time
Not every deadline deserves the same level of polish. Here’s how we help our clients decide when to move fast—and when to slow down.
Go Quick & Dirty When:
- You’re testing a proof of concept.
Maybe it’s a new service offering, a lead capture workflow, or a one-off product page. You’re still exploring what works, and expect to iterate later. - It’s a short-term campaign or promo.
Think: seasonal landing pages, event microsites, or limited-time offers. If it’s going away in a few weeks, don’t overthink it. Speed = ROI. - You need to generate internal momentum.
A fast MVP can give leadership or stakeholders something real to rally around. It’s better to ship a lean version than to get stuck in the abstract.
Take Your Time When:
- You’re past the experimentation phase.
If the offering is validated and mission-critical, you want it scalable, secure, and brand-consistent. Don’t duct-tape your core product. - The stakes are high.
For e-commerce checkouts, booking systems, or complex user flows—anyplace where trust, data, or revenue is on the line—quality matters. - You’re building for the long haul.
New websites, rebrands, and foundational infrastructure should be approached with thoughtfulness and a long-term lens. These aren’t just assets—they’re platforms for future growth.
Use the Fire, Don’t Get Burned
Hard fast deadlines are tools. They can spark clarity, focus, and action—but only when used with intention. In digital work, where backend complexity and front-end polish are deeply intertwined, a deadline without context can do more harm than good.
So here’s our advice:
- Use hard fast deadlines when you need momentum.
- Respect complexity when you need resilience.
- And above all—choose your speed on purpose.
We’ve helped startups launch in two weeks, and we’ve spent months with clients refining complex systems behind the scenes. Every project is different. The key is knowing what you’re building—and why.
If you’re staring down a blank screen, a stalled idea, or a site that’s outlived its usefulness, a hard fast deadline might be exactly what you need. Just make sure you’ve got the right partner to help you hit it—without cutting corners that cost you later.
Want help deciding when to sprint and when to scale?
We’d love to talk. Let’s connect →