How to Report Against a Timeline

 

This post's podcast episode is available at Sounder, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.

When you are short of time, here is the one action that will give you 80 percent results in 20 percent of the time.

DO THIS

Control the perception of your reporting status. 

BY DOING THIS

–  Share your status beyond the reporting status meetings.

–  Provide evidence of progress for credibility.

–  Communicate action plans to close any gaps.

Proactive reporting will save you many stress-filled hours and gain you leader and team member confidence should you miss a deadline or outcome. The goal is to communicate constantly about whether you’re on or behind the plan. People can handle the truth but hate surprises; be the first to update stakeholders on your progress. 

First, you need to know your true status. Inaccurate reporting destroys credibility and raises concerns about your capabilities. A false update is most damaging when someone on the project team has better or more reliable data—information that contradicts your own stated accounts. 

If you’re on track, present evidence; if you’re behind, be clear on the gap and how you’ll fill it. Noting the activities already in play is an effective way to lower tensions and shift the focus from the problem to its solution.

KNOWLEDGE BITES

GAP CLOSURE ACTION PLAN TOOL: What is my plan to get back on track?

SUCCESS TIP

Being clear on how and when you’ll update leaders on progress helps build confidence in your capability to get back on track because it gives them something concrete to test.

For more stories, insights and advice, listen to the Reporting Against a Timeline podcast episode with executive and change leader Jennifer Rhodes.

Phil Buckley is the author of Change on the Run and  Change with Confidence, host of the  Change on the Run Podcast, and co-creator of the  Sharing Change with Confidence Newsletter.

#change #changemanagement #transformation #leadership #projectmanagement #timlines t #podcasts 

How to Measure Progress

This post's podcast episode is available at Sounder, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.

When you are short of time, here is the one action that will give you 80 percent results in 20 percent of the time.

DO THIS

Track two data sources, with stakeholder commentary, for each checkpoint or outcome.

BY DOING THIS

–      Define the two data sources you’ll track that stakeholders find valuable.

–      Identify people who can comment on each.

–     Create a simple chart to report on data and associated stakeholder quotes.

People give little thought to measurement at the beginning of a project because they’re too absorbed in planning activities. Spending time up front defining and gaining buy-in for measures will save you considerable heartache throughout the execution phase of your project.

The two questions you need to answer are: a) What information can you track that will accurately communicate what you’ve completed at each plan checkpoint? and b) Who can provide context around this data? For example, you could track percentage completion of training and include a quote from the participants’ leader, such as, “My team felt the training provided them with everything they need to operate the new system.”

It’s important to get agreement from leaders on what data will be tracked and by whom. The clearer they are about how success will be measured, the more supportive they’ll be at progress reviews. 

KNOWLEDGE BITES

MEASUREMENT DASHBOARD TOOL: What measures will demonstrate that I'm achieving project outcomes?

SUCCESS TIP

Reminding leaders of the rationale behind which metrics were chosen will avoid challenges to them later.

The Measuring Progress podcast episode with business and market development expert Søren Pedersen.

Phil Buckley is the author of Change on the Run and Change with Confidence, host of the Change on the Run podcast, and co-creator of the Sharing Change with Confidence Newsletter.

#change #changemanagement #business #measurement #leadership #emergencymanagement #podcasts