You need to explain to your team why a project is delayed.

**Question:**
Your team was supposed to deliver a project by Friday, but you need an extra week because a key vendor went out of business unexpectedly. Write an email to your team members. In your email:
– Announce the delay
– Explain what happened with the vendor
– Describe your plan to get back on track

**Model Answer:**

**To:** project-team@company.com
**Subject:** Explanation – project delay and recovery plan

Hi team,

I need to share some difficult news. We will not be able to meet the Friday deadline for the Henderson project. I know how hard everyone has worked, and I take full responsibility for communicating this delay.

Let me explain the root cause. On Monday, our primary printing vendor, PrintPro Solutions, informed us that they are ceasing operations effective immediately due to bankruptcy. They had already produced approximately 40% of our marketing materials. We have since learned that we cannot retrieve those materials or recover our deposit. I have attached the vendor’s official notice for your reference.

Here is what I have done so far to address this. First, I spent yesterday contacting five alternative vendors. Second, I have secured a new vendor, BrightPrint, who can complete the entire order within seven business days. Third, I negotiated an expedited timeline and a 10% discount due to the urgency. The new delivery date for all materials is next Friday, May 23rd.

To get us back on track, here is the revised schedule:

– By Wednesday: Finalize all remaining design files for the new vendor
– By Thursday: Approve the digital proofs from BrightPrint
– By next Friday: Receive and distribute all materials

I know this delay is frustrating, especially after the long hours many of you have put in. I am looking into whether we can claim compensation from PrintPro through our legal insurance. In the meantime, please let me know if any of you need to adjust your schedules or if there are other bottlenecks I can help remove.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I will schedule a quick 15-minute standup tomorrow morning to answer any questions.

Best,
Marcus