If someone wants to delay a project then it is your job as the project manager to tell them how much it will cost in lost revenue and opportunity costs plus that they are now 100% responsible for this financial loss to the company. Suddenly, they will push the decision on to someone else or the delay will disappear.
We have a greater fear of loss then of gain.
Who in any organisation wants to have the reputation that they lose the organisation money. Everyone wants the reputation of being the “rainmaker”, the person who brings in the money.
So as a project manager it is important that the decision makers understand the financial impact of their decisions. It is important to note that not making a decision is still a decision.
This means that the project manager must provide the options available and the gains and losses of each option. Then the decision maker can take the decision.
Successful International Project Management 