DELAY

Several men in hardhats and safety vests were just standing on the sidewalk talking. Occasionally, they would walk up and down the street on both sides, moving or realigning cones. They'd stop, lean against the fence or sit on the sidewalk. A few might light up cigarettes. They talked amongst themselves, but for the most part, they seemed idle, and even anxious. They'd look around, switch from foot to foot, but mostly, if not for their attire, it would have appeared that they were loitering. They had posted signs on the orange cones. From 7AM until 5PM there were to be no cars parked on the street, but the street was lined with parked cars on both sides. There would be no drilling, excavating, or digging going on. Their equipment was in place, but it was silent and still.
As residents emerged, headed for work and other places, and moved their vehicles, work began, but cautiously--and perhaps, not as planned. The cars cleared out on one side of the street, but was that the side on which the workmen wanted to begin?
At 11:23, there were still a few cars on the street. The workmen have decided to maneuver around them. If the vehicles are damaged, who is at fault? There is now a long, narrow, but deep hole in the ground. Only one vehicle can pass now. The work has reduced the street to one lane. How far could they have been into the job had the street been completely cleared of vehicles at 7AM? It's now after noon. The lone vehicle still parked on the street is causing the workers to do manually what a single machine could have done. They don't look too happy, but they're digging anyway. They were prepared obviously. Perhaps this has happened to them before.

A single, unmovable item can delay progress. Those willing, able and ready to work have no choice but to stand around and wait, because they have no authority to move it. As soon as it is gone, however, the work can continue. The delay, however, will cost.

It's now 2:50. The last vehicle is finally out of the way. The equipment can now take advantage of its full range of movement. The job can be completed--later than anticipated--but completed. What if a few hindrances caused the workers to leave the work site or cancel the work altogether?

Sometimes, even when it's unbearable, you just have to work around it.