B · People & riskIntermediate30 min read
6. Status that tells the truth
Project Management for Tech · 36 pages source format
Good status: goal, progress, risks, asks. Bad status: activity diary and green slides for red work.
What you'll learn
- RAG honesty
- Ask clearly
- Async-first
Status template
Lead with outcome. Then variance. Then risks. End with explicit asks and owners.
## Status — <initiative> — <date>
Goal: …
Progress: … (vs plan)
RAG: Green / Amber / Red — because …
Risks / issues needing eyes: …
Decisions needed by <date>: …
Asks: @person — …Do this now
Write this week’s status for your initiative using the template.
Clear?
No surprise Reds
Amber early is kindness. Red on launch week is malpractice.
Do this now
Rewrite a fake “all green” status into an honest Amber with one ask.
Clear?