I have a rule that if I need something to continue doing my work, deliver a project on time on behalf of a client, or simply get something that I want, it is my responsibility to follow-up. I do not consider myself innocent for receiving something late unless I have followed up multiple times. 

I do appreciate that sometimes you may have the urge to NOT follow-up so you can say something like "well, you did not get us the information in time so we are delaying the launch of a project" in order to buy yourself more time for reasons that have nothing to do with the item you are following up about. There are circumstances when that tactic is helpful (I've certainly done it) but I consider that the exception and not the rule. And it is also not the best approach to buying yourself more time because it backfires easily. If you need to buy more time, the safer approach is to manage expectations early and often. 

Below are some 5 tips for following up. Note that these rules may sound like they only apply to project managers but I wholeheartedly believe that every person/role/discipline should utilize these tips. Organizations run much more smoothly when everyone takes responsibility for their own follow-up.