Presentation Time Management: Why Most Presenters Run Over
The most painful presentation I ever witnessed wasn’t bad because of the content. It was bad because it wouldn’t end.
A senior director at RBS had been given 10 minutes to update the executive committee on his division’s performance. At minute 12, he was still on his third slide. At minute 15, the CEO started checking her phone. At minute 18, she interrupted: “We need to move on.”
He rushed through his final eight slides in 90 seconds, skipped his conclusion entirely, and sat down red-faced. Everything he’d prepared—the analysis, the recommendations, the ask—was lost in the scramble.
The irony? His content was strong. But nobody remembered that. They remembered he couldn’t manage his own time.
After 24 years in banking and coaching over 5,000 executives, I’ve seen this pattern destroy more presentations than weak content ever has.
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The Three Reasons Presenters Run Over
After analysing thousands of presentations that ran over time, I’ve found the cause is almost always one of three preparation failures—not delivery failures.
Reason #1: They Don’t Practice Out Loud
Reading through your slides in your head takes roughly half as long as actually presenting them. Every time, without exception.
When you rehearse mentally, you skip the pauses. You don’t stumble over transitions. You don’t repeat yourself for emphasis. You don’t wait for the slide to advance. Mental rehearsal is a fantasy—it has almost nothing to do with real delivery time.
The fix: Practice standing up, speaking at full volume, with your slides actually advancing. Do this at least three times with a timer running.
Reason #2: They Have Too Much Content
This is the most common culprit. Presenters prepare 20 minutes of content for a 10-minute slot, then try to “speak faster” to fit it in.
Speaking faster doesn’t work. It makes you seem nervous. It overwhelms your audience. And you still run over because faster speech doesn’t compress pauses, transitions, or the inevitable moments where you lose your place.
The fix: Cut content until you can deliver comfortably in 85% of your allotted time. For a 10-minute presentation, that means practising until you hit 8:30.
Reason #3: They Don’t Know What to Cut
When presenters realise mid-presentation they’re running over, they panic. Without a pre-planned “cut list,” they either rush through everything (bad) or skip their conclusion (worse).
The fix: Before you present, identify one “nice to have” example or point in each section. Know exactly what you’ll skip if you need to recover time. Never cut your conclusion—it matters more than any supporting detail.
[IMAGE: presentation-time-management-three-reasons.png]
Alt text: Three reasons presenters run over time – don’t practice out loud, too much content, don’t know what to cut
Dimensions: 770 × 450px
The Buffer Rule
Here’s the principle that transformed my own presentation time management: your practice time is your minimum time.
Under pressure, you’ll speak faster in some places and slower in others. You’ll lose your place. You’ll add an unplanned clarification. It roughly nets out to taking longer than practice, not shorter.
Build buffer into your preparation:
- 5-minute slot: Practise until you hit 4:15-4:30
- 10-minute slot: Practise until you hit 8:30-9:00
- 15-minute slot: Practise until you hit 12:30-13:00
That buffer will save you every time. It accounts for nerves, for audience reactions, for the technology hiccup you didn’t anticipate. Good presentation pacing requires this margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do presenters always run over time?
Three reasons: they don’t practice out loud (mental rehearsal takes half as long), they have too much content for the slot, and they don’t know what to cut when time runs short. All three are preparation failures, not delivery failures. Master the 10-minute presentation format to build discipline.
How do I stay on time during a presentation?
Practice with a timer at least three times out loud. Build in 10-15% buffer (aim for 9 minutes if you have 10). Know exactly which points you’ll cut if needed. Place a clock or timer where you can see it without being obvious.
What should I cut if I’m running over during a presentation?
Cut examples and evidence first, not main points. Never cut your conclusion or call to action—these matter more than extra supporting detail. Decide before you present which examples are “nice to have” versus essential. Strong presentation structure makes these decisions easier.
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Related: 10-Minute Presentation: Why This Format Dominates Business Communication
Mary Beth Hazeldine spent 24 years at JPMorgan, PwC, RBS, and Commerzbank. She’s a clinical hypnotherapist and MD of Winning Presentations.
This article was created with AI assistance; all stories and insights are based on 35 years of real client work.
