How do I present a Project Update? - Business Best Practice

Your project success relies on you communicating project status. Use these tips and templates to help

How do I present a Project Update?

1. Keep your update short – aim for 5 minutes or less.
2. If you have project objectives, compare progress with these objectives.
3. Provide a 1-page document so that people can take away the key messages.
4. Provide easy-to-understand status indicators – “Red / Amber / Green” (RAG) status for each update item.

Project Update in more detail

Project updates are a crucial part of project and product management.

Keep your update short – aim for 5 minutes or less.
1. Provide some introductory context – remember that everyone’s mind is elsewhere.
2. Avoid going into detail – just give the headlines!
3. If there are any issues, provide some suggested solutions.
If you have project objectives, compare progress with these objectives.
1. Show this side-by-side: Targets vs Actual Progress.
2. RAG Status is a good way of highlighting good and bad progress.
3. If you bear bad news, it always pays to have some suggested solutions.
Provide a 1-page document so that people can take away the key messages.
1. Once again – keep it simple.
2. Use a Status Report or Dashboard template (see below).
Provide easy-to-understand status indicators – “Red / Amber / Green” RAG status for each update item.
1. RAG Status: this can be achieved with traffic lights, or dials, or just simply the Red, Amber, Green colours.
2. Dials: While it may seem a bit of a gimmick, dials can be very popular with corporate stakeholders.

Are you short on time?

Use these templates to help with business best practice:

Project Status Reporting

Project Report

A stylish PowerPoint project report which allows you to show your progress against the plan and budget.

See: Project Report

Comparison Template

A stylish PowerPoint comparison template which lets you quickly and effectively show the difference between different companies or products.

See: Comparison Template

RAG Status Template PowerPoint

The RAG Status Template provides a range of RAG formats so that you can communicate project risk levels – Red, Amber, Green – quickly and easily.

See: RAG Status Template PowerPoint

Project Handover PowerPoint

This captures the key elements of a project so you can deliver a smooth handover.

See: Project Handover PowerPoint

See all Project Status Reporting

RAG Status Reports & Dashboards

RAG Status Template PowerPoint

The RAG Status Template provides a range of RAG formats so that you can communicate project risk levels – Red, Amber, Green – quickly and easily.

See: RAG Status Template PowerPoint

Project Status Report Template Discount Bundle (PPT & Excel)

All of our Project Status Report Template formats in one discount package. Enjoy our professional formats for delivery status, risk status, rollout status, and innovation status. All in easy-to-edit Powerpoint and Excel.

See: Project Status Report Template Discount Bundle (PPT & Excel)

Solution-focused Excel Risk Log with Dashboard Template

This Risk Log template supports a Solution-focused Risk Management strategy by combining a powerful Risk Dashboard with Mitigation Data. Show HOW and WHEN your risks will be mitigated, and WHO owns them.

See: Solution-focused Excel Risk Log with Dashboard Template

Dashboard Report (Powerpoint)

A dashboard report powerpoint perfect for updating key stakeholders on projects against delivery, including overall summary, RAG, Risk, SWOT, Dials, Highlights and a Roadmap.

See: Dashboard Report (Powerpoint)

See all RAG Status Reports & Dashboards