how to deal with late replies

I understand your concern. Timely communication is crucial, but sometimes delays cannot be helped. The first thing you need to do is ensure that your messages are clear and actionable. Vagueness can often lead to procrastination on the recipient's part.

That's absolutely an option. Making the person aware of the problem they may not realize can be helpful. Try to approach the situation from a place of understanding and collaboration, rather than blame. Remember, you're seeking solution.

If direct communication doesn't solve the problem, you may need to adapt your expectations or workflow. If the delay is from a specific individual or group consistently, perhaps try to build in cushions for those specific cases. Ultimately, you can only control so much, so focus on what you can control: your time, your effort, and your expectations.