Build Your Milestone Update

Pick one real project or goal you are currently working on — you will design its update from scratch.

Name Your Project

Write the project name and its single most important objective in one line. Be specific — no vague goals.

Set the RAG Status

Mark your project's current health. Then write the one fact that forced you to choose that colour.

Red / Amber / Green

One supporting fact

Rank Your Evidence

List three pieces of evidence for your status. Rank them from most to least convincing for a senior stakeholder.

Strongest1 2 3 4 5

Second1 2 3 4 5

Weakest1 2 3 4 5

Write Your Signal Line

Write the one-sentence headline status your audience will hear first — this is your signal. It must contain a timeline and a judgment, not just a fact.

Find the Weak Point

Look back at your evidence in step 3. Which item would a sceptical board member challenge most? Mark it and write one sentence defending it.

The item at risk

Your defence

Craft the Ask

Write the one thing you need your audience to decide or approve before the next update. Be direct — no softening.

Name Your Update

Give your full update a title of five words or fewer that captures the signal. Then write why that title — not a longer one — is stronger.

Why that word?

Discuss Share your signal line with a partner — can they tell the RAG status from that sentence alone, without hearing the rest?

Business01