I’ve been reading a number of posts on LinkedIn and other blogs about status reports and why they don’t work. Most of theses are promoting a different model for status reporting. The problem is not with a format of reporting, but with the process of reporting.
The reason we status report seems to have gotten lost in the search for a new format of status reports. We report to keep people apprised of the status of the project. We use whatever tool fits best within the organization, or methodology.
The key elements of status reporting are,
- where we thought we would be based on the last approved baseline and where we really are
- what we see as issues that the sponsor needs to help resolve, and how they need to help
- what we see coming up that is just a heads up – and what we’re doing about it
If you are reporting clearly and honestly on these three points, the status report has value. If not, here’s the problem,
- Where we are v where we thought we would be. If you are trying to provide a more optimistic picture, you’ll mislead the sponsor, and lose your credibility
- If you are trying to show you can solve the issues when it’s really in the hands of your sponsor, you are going to have to come to the table for help when you are at the end of your resources. The sponsor wants to help, let them get in there and do their job.
- If you don’t tell your sponsor what’s coming up – and say whether you need help or not – you’ll look like you are blindsiding them when they hear it from someone else.
So, the point is, status reporting is communication and if you communicate the right things clearly and objectively, the format is just a tool.
What do you think about status reporting? Do you have a story to share?
Happy PMing
Perry
