Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about a Friday when the subject expert said the work was minimal and she would send inputs later, then postponed to Monday, while I padded a deck to look busy. I have rewritten it into advice on what to do while you wait for inputs.
After the morning call, I knew my deliverable was a deck built from the subject expert's inputs, so my plans for a quiet few days were gone. I called her about the information and next steps. She said the work was minimal and she would come back later in the day. Relieved, I returned to browsing, but sensing something was off, I opened a deck and added some slides mainly so my manager would see I was working. At the end of the day, she said her other commitments meant she could only send details by Monday. I left for home on Friday evening.
What can you do before inputs arrive?
- Build the structure: section headings, the client's requirements mapped to slides.
- Draft what you know: company overview, relevant case studies, governance.
- Write your questions: so the expert's call is short and specific.
- Mark gaps clearly: placeholders that show exactly what is missing.
Is it worth working on a deck just to look busy?
Not for appearance's sake. The same hour spent building a real structure would have made Monday easier. Work that exists only to be seen tends to be thrown away.
How do you handle an expert who postpones?
Agree a specific time on Monday, confirm it by mail, and tell the account team the new date for the draft. That keeps expectations realistic on all sides.
Should you tell your manager about the delay?
Yes, briefly. It protects you if the deadline tightens and helps your manager judge whether the expert needs support.
What is the lesson?
"Minimal work, I will send it later" is a signal to prepare, not to relax. A few hours of honest preparation on Friday would have turned Monday from a scramble into a review.
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