How Project Managers Can Keep Teams On Track During The Summer Slowdown

Summer is a double-edged sword for project managers. On the one hand, it’s great to see your team taking the breaks they’ve earned. On the other, it often means stalled timelines, stretched resources, and an increase in messages like “Let’s revisit this when I’m back…”

The “summer slowdown” can wreak havoc on project delivery if you’re not ahead of it. The usual issues are key decision-makers going quiet, workload bottlenecks for those left behind, communication breakdowns and a general drop in energy and focus

But with a few smart adjustments, you can keep things moving without putting your team under unnecessary pressure.

Here’s how to summer-proof your project plans and keep delivery on track.

1. Map team impact not just time off

Most PMs track annual leave. But the smarter move is mapping impact. It’s not just who’s off – it’s what goes missing when they’re not there.

Ask yourself:

• Are you losing your planner (what we call leading with Cool Blue energy), your executor (Fiery Red), or your connector (Sunshine Yellow)?
• Which workstreams are exposed?
• Are team roles too siloed?

PM tip:

Run a quick project capability audit: List current contributors, their key responsibilities, and what they own. Then assess the risk level of each absence. Personality tools like Insights Discovery can also help you understand behavioural styles, so you’re not caught off guard by the shift in team dynamics.

2. Anticipate decision deadlocks

If a sponsor or senior stakeholder disappears mid-project, approvals stall and you end up wasting time chasing answers.

PM tip:
Before the holiday period kicks in:

• Identify time-sensitive decisions and who owns them
• Define backup authorities for each (include scope)
• Get sign-off on temporary delegation structures

Don’t assume “They’ll be reachable.” Assume they won’t and plan accordingly.

3. Keep workloads sustainable

Redistributing work to keep things afloat is standard but doing it reactively can backfire. People end up overloaded, and the quality of delivery drops fast.

PM tip:
In advance of everyone heading off, hold a session to:

• Identify critical-path tasks during key absence windows
• Tag what can be paused or deferred
• Spread the remaining work across compatible skillsets

Be transparent with the team. When people know what’s coming, they’re more likely to step up without burning out.

4. Preserve team rhythm and morale

When your team dynamic shifts, so does productivity. If the usual motivator is off, don’t be surprised if energy levels dip.

PM tip:
Keep your team engaged with:

• Weekly connects focused on short-term wins
• Rotating ownership of team check-ins
• Extra flexibility for those still in the office to take longer breaks
• Informal recognition for those going above and beyond

Small efforts help maintain momentum and show your team that their contributions are appreciated.

5. Build Resilience Into Your Projects

Holidays are predictable so use them as a dry run for the unexpected. If you’re overly reliant on one person for risk logs, stakeholder updates, or sprint management, now’s the time to fix that.

PM tip:
Introduce cross-training:

• Document key recurring tasks and processes
• Store them in a central, searchable place
• Pair team members to shadow one another in short bursts

It not only covers summer gaps but also future-proofs your project against unplanned absences or team changes.

6. Ensure people can fully switch off

Project managers are often guilty of telling people to “switch off” while quietly hoping they’ll still be available if needed. That sends mixed messages and undermines trust.

PM Tip:
Build confidence in your plan so people can actually disconnect:

• Set clear expectations about availability while away
• Establish robust handovers
• Designate a point person for each key area in the interim

When team members know things won’t fall apart without them, they can recharge properly and return sharper and more motivated.

Don’t Wait for the Slump

Project delivery doesn’t stop because it’s sunny outside. But neither should your team have to choose between rest and results.

Proactive planning gives you:

• Fewer dropped balls
• Smoother stakeholder relationships
• A team that feels supported not stretched

And if you do it right, you’ll hit Q3 running while others are still digging out from their post-holiday backlog.

David Bowes is Head of People, Insights

Grab the full Leader’s Guide to Combating the Summer Slowdown for tools you can apply right away.