Well, decision makers have it tattooed on their chests. All of us can think of opportunities that were intentionally bypassed, not because the appropriate resources were not available, but rather because there was no clear picture of how long this activity might take to implement. I strongly suggest that to earn the right to be heard, we must take the time to develop answers to such difficult questions. Proactive communication professionals anticipate such timing concerns as shipping dates, training periods, outages, in-house delays, etc., in advance, and communicate them openly. Many individuals feel that if they have successfully maneuvered their way through the first three questions posed by suspicious decision makers, that they must be home free.
Indecision proves to be a tremendous idea killer.
My suggested answer to this particular question requires a certain amount of gutsiness on the part of the responder. Put the full responsibility for both the decision and resulting impact of it squarely on his or her shoulders. As risky as this may seem, it can be very effective. Always strive to conclude every discussion and interaction on a strong, supportive and positive note. Of course not.