The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right

Pitfalls

There are many common problems that can result in inadequate status information. Good practices for avoiding these include:

• Do not “shoot the messenger” who brings bad news. When team members are criticized or punished for negative news, they stop providing any useful information.

• Always collect the status data, every cycle. Good, timely information is even more important during times of high stress and significant problems.

• Acknowledge and use the information you collect. If it looks like you do not care about the information received, your team members will stop providing it. Make use of status data from all contributors in your information distribution.

• Work hard to get status data from distant team members on global teams and from ...