Give a decision-ready board update
Present status, exposure and a concrete decision request.
A project remains within budget but will miss its delivery target unless one scope item is deferred. Leaders have five minutes and need to decide what to protect.
1 · Notice the conversation
Stakeholder: Why are we only hearing about this now?
You: We should have flagged the uncertainty earlier. The latest test confirms the delay, and I am bringing the options now so we can make a controlled decision.
Stakeholder: What is the customer impact of deferring the dashboard?
You: Customers would use the standard report for two weeks. The core service would still be available, but we should confirm that the temporary report meets their needs.
Stakeholder: What do you need us to approve?
You: Approval to defer the custom dashboard, with the product lead confirming the interim reporting plan by Friday.
2 · Understand what each phrase does
Make the recommendation
Put the decision where the listener can find it.
We are within budget, but the original delivery date is at risk.
Use the move when it serves this situation. This is not a phrase that must appear in every answer.Explain the consequence
Show what the proposal changes for people or work.
The integration work is taking longer than planned; the remaining scope is unchanged.
Use the move when it serves this situation. This is not a phrase that must appear in every answer.Define the next move
Specify an action, condition or question that moves the discussion forward.
We can protect the date by deferring the custom dashboard, or retain the full scope and move delivery by two weeks.
Use the move when it serves this situation. This is not a phrase that must appear in every answer.3 · Rehearse, then change the details
We are within budget, but the original delivery date is at risk.
The integration work is taking longer than planned; the remaining scope is unchanged.
We can protect the date by deferring the custom dashboard, or retain the full scope and move delivery by two weeks.
I recommend protecting the date and agreeing a separate dashboard release.
Keep the purpose; change the person, document or time. A simple, accurate sentence is enough.
4 · Respond to your colleague
Why are we only hearing about this now?
Own the communication issue and explain the evidence timeline.
See one possible reply
We should have flagged the uncertainty earlier. The latest test confirms the delay, and I am bringing the options now so we can make a controlled decision.
What is the customer impact of deferring the dashboard?
Translate a scope decision into a user consequence.
See one possible reply
Customers would use the standard report for two weeks. The core service would still be available, but we should confirm that the temporary report meets their needs.
What do you need us to approve?
State the decision, owner and review point.
See one possible reply
Approval to defer the custom dashboard, with the product lead confirming the interim reporting plan by Friday.
5 · Try a different situation
A programme has met its timeline but exceeded the staffing assumption. Prepare a short update that distinguishes current spend from the next-quarter staffing request.
What do you recommend, and what should we decide next?
Use the new facts. State the consequence or trade-off and one next action.
- I distinguish status from the decision required.
- I describe a real trade-off.
- I name the decision owner and next checkpoint.
6 · Recall without the model tomorrow
Present status, exposure and a concrete decision request.