# What is deal slippage?

URL: https://dataparrot.ai/answers/what-is-deal-slippage
Updated: 2026-05-29

Deal slippage happens when a deal does not close by its expected close date and moves into a later period. It usually means the timing was wrong, buyer progress slowed, approvals took longer than expected, or the team did not catch risk early enough.

## What causes deal slippage?

Deal slippage has many causes, but the pattern is usually a gap between forecast timing and buyer reality.

- Buyer response slows down
- Decision makers are not aligned
- Procurement, legal, security, or finance takes longer
- The next step is not confirmed
- The deal was forecast too confidently

## Why does slippage matter?

Slippage moves revenue out of the expected period. It can create missed forecasts, weak board reporting, and rushed end-of-period deal reviews.

## How can teams reduce slippage?

Teams can reduce slippage by reviewing close date confidence, checking buyer activity, challenging forecast categories, and finding stalled deals before the period ends.

## FAQ

### Is deal slippage the same as losing a deal?

No. A slipped deal may still close later. The issue is that it did not close when the forecast expected it to close.

### What is a slipped deal in HubSpot?

In HubSpot, a slipped deal is usually a deal whose close date moves out of the expected period or becomes past due without closing.

### What should managers inspect when a deal slips?

Managers should inspect what changed, whether the buyer is still active, what steps remain, and whether the new close date is realistic.

## Related links

- [Deal Health](https://dataparrot.ai/product/deal-health) - Review deal risk signals before deals slip.
- [Sales Forecasting](https://dataparrot.ai/product/sales-forecasting) - Inspect forecast quality and deal-level risk.