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Being a good husband, I wanted to treat my wife to a special meal at our local restaurant. We had been there previously, and although they didn't know us too well , they would realise who we were.

I telephoned up for an early evening table (since we like to move on to other things) and was welcomed by an amiable lady who, by her voice, may have been of Italian extraction. I asked for 10:00. on the following Friday, and she said 'No problem', but didn't take my name.

I enquired if she wanted my name and a cell phone number to reserve the booking, but she said no, telling me that at they don't take bookings that early in the evening since it wouldn't be hectic.

In the event, when we arrived, you guessed it, they had a party in and although the evening wasn't ruined it definitely took a downturn. It was sad to have to be firmly adamant, and after an interval and a drink at the bar we did make that evening date, although it wasn't what either of us desired.

What went awry? Well I was too easy going when I didn't make sure that I got the booking before I rang off. I didn't get commitment.

Chatting to a business owner, the other day, it became evident to me that he was afflicted by the same fate. He had grown used to asking his development team 'How's it going' in a casual way, because he felt that it suggested accord and trust.

In fact he generally heard 'fine, its going fine', which he assumed to be just that. Of course it wasn't really great, and in fact he bore interruptions and technology problems that he hadn't planned for, giving him insomnia and financial problems as the development budget were dissipated.

If developers and their managers aren't asked directly unambiguously what the project state is, then human nature decrees an answer that matches the original enquiry (read unclear).

So rather than pausing at the phrase 'how's it going', why not push on until you get a firm commitment.

‘how's it going?'

'When will it be completed?'

'That's the 3rd July?'

'And you will have completed development and testing?'

'All the bugs will be fixed?'

'You are committed to deliver to schedule?'

Even if some of the answers you get are not ideal, you will be in a much better situation to handle the situation than if you just agreed with their imprecise replies.

To get commitment prepare to request it. Make sure that you don't accept an ambiguous reply and continue asking until you get absolute confirmation.

If you fail to get commitment at every stage of your endeavour you leave everything to fate. By asking courteously but constantly for a clear and explicit reply to your enquiry you will avoid the catastrophe that bunches into a concertina at the end of the project.

For the last 20 years Rob Wendes has been providing stress free business technology solutions to Business owners and professionals. http://www.tactips.com

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