What do you do when a product cannot meet the release date?

When a release date is at risk, my first step is to proactively identify the cause. This involves close monitoring of development progress, ensuring accurate estimations based on empirical data, and breaking down features into manageable, iterative chunks (e.g., two-week sprints). I also advocate for incorporating buffer time into schedules. Crucially, I prioritize transparent and timely communication with all stakeholders, clearly outlining the situation, potential impacts, and proposed solutions to realign expectations and collaboratively determine the best path forward.