Two dates, two meanings
A target is the date you would like to achieve. A hard deadline is a real external commitment. Add the reason for that commitment so the meeting can see what is at stake. Date-only targets/deadlines mean end of day.
The scheduler calculates feasibility; neither field creates extra capacity or overrides prerequisites. A missed target should not be mistaken for a breached external promise.
Headroom and risk
Headroom compares forecast finish with the hard deadline in calendar hours. Negative headroom means the forecast crosses that commitment. Tight headroom uses the existing 48-calendar-hour threshold; threatened and already-missed commitments are shown separately. Unable to forecast is a different state again.
Risk labels are written out, not conveyed only by colour. Historical risk and headroom are retained so a meeting can see how the position changed.
See headroom, movement and forecast history.