If a deadline cannot be met, who should be notified?

• A. The responsible entity and document the exception
• B. The public
• C. The media
• D. The regulator

Answer: (A)

When a deadline in a reliability standard cannot be met, the proper step is to notify the entity responsible for the task and document the exception. This practice creates clear accountability and starts the process of adjusting plans or timelines to maintain reliability. Documenting the exception provides an auditable record for audits and later reviews, helping with root-cause analysis and corrective actions to prevent recurrence. The other options are not the standard notification path: communicating to the public or media is not appropriate for internal compliance matters, and regulator notification typically occurs only through separate, formal reporting requirements or escalation processes, not as the routine response to a missed deadline.