The observation
A program may be green on schedule, amber on staffing and dependent on a decision that has no date. Compressing those conditions into one color creates a familiar argument about which dimension deserves to dominate. The discussion can outlast the issue being reported. The opportunity column remains full even while the dependency column has no owner; the two columns are reviewed in different meetings.
- 01Progress
- 02Conditions
- 03Consequences
- 04Required help
What follows
A useful update states the condition and consequence before choosing the summary. It allows good progress and a material unresolved issue to coexist. The team does not need to choose between describing its achievements and admitting that it still requires help.
