German Approach
The Germans prefer a complete deliverable, even if late, over an incomplete deliverable, even if early. Lateness is tolerated as long as expectations are met. Completeness beats speed. Patterns
American Approach
Americans expect the initial parts of a deliverable as quickly as possible. A partial deliverable early often meets the needs better than the complete product later. Speed beats completeness. Patterns
American View
There are seldom situations in the American context when missing a due date is easily justified. From the American point of view, their German colleagues are simply too slow, their deliverables too perfect, too abgerundet.
Opportunities are missed. Particularly frustrating is to have very little communication during the agreed upon delivery time, only to have the deliverable suddenly arrive.
German View
Germans are impressed with rapid response times. But all too often they misperceive the initial part of the deliverable as most or all that they will receive, falsely drawing the conclusion that their American colleague has not fully lived up to their side of the agreement.
To then learn that they need to aggregate several parts of the deliverable leads them to the conclusion that their American partners are either not capable or unwilling of putting together a complete product.
Advice to Germans
Completeness vs. schedule, quality vs. speed, whatever terms you choose, this is an area of potentially considerable friction. Address this issue from the very outset of an agreement.
Define the terms specifically. What deliverables are involved? In what form will they be delivered? In pieces or as a whole? By when? From whom, to whom? For the sake of clarity, recommend to each other that you document this.
And most importanlty, remain in constant contact with each other about any modifications to this crucial part of the agreement.
Advice to Americans
Communicate more literally with your German colleagues. If you cannot enter into an agreement, simply state so.
Provide your reasons, communicate regret, but try not to pack your „no“ into „wads of cotton“, as the Germans say. They won‘t break down into tears.
If you are willing to enter into an agreement, give clear indications to what degree your „yes“ is binding. Parameters can change. Use a percentage:
„Sure, Hans, I can deliver that by next Thursday. But, I have a lot going on at the moment. I can guarantee it 80%. Let‘s talk again on Tuesday.“