Lagging, or delay, refers to the time it takes for a response or action to occur after an initial stimulus. This phenomenon is commonly observed in various fields, such as technology, where a computer may take time to process commands, or in communication, where there may be a noticeable pause in conversation due to network issues. In the context of project management, lagging can affect timelines and productivity. For instance, if one task is dependent on the completion of another, any delay in the first task can push back the entire project schedule, leading to inefficiencies and potential cost overruns.