Progress, Plans and Problems

The Progress, Plans, and Problems (PPP) methodology is a simple and effective framework for regular status reporting. It provides a structured way for individuals or teams to communicate key information, fostering transparency and keeping everyone on the same page.

Here's how PPP works:

Three Core Categories

• Progress: This section highlights what has been accomplished during the reporting period. This could include completed tasks, achieved milestones, or any notable successes.
• Plans: This section outlines what's next. Here, individuals or teams describe their goals and objectives for the upcoming period. This might involve upcoming tasks, deliverables, or areas of focus.
• Problems: This section identifies any roadblocks, challenges, or issues hindering progress. Being proactive about surfacing problems allows for early intervention and solutions.

Benefits of PPP

• Clarity and Focus: The structured format ensures clear communication and keeps everyone focused on the most important aspects.
• Improved Communication: Regular PPP updates promote transparency and open communication within teams and with managers.
• Early Problem Identification: By surfacing challenges in the Problems section, issues can be addressed before they escalate.
• Increased Accountability: The reporting process fosters accountability as individuals take ownership of their progress and identify areas needing improvement.

Implementation

• Frequency: PPP updates can be done daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the project or team needs.
• Simplicity is Key: Focus on 3-5 concise points for each category to maintain focus and avoid information overload.

The PPP methodology is a versatile tool used in various contexts, including:

• Team progress tracking within organizations
• Individual employee performance updates
• Project status reports for clients or stakeholders

By incorporating PPP into your communication routine, you can streamline reporting, improve transparency, and ensure everyone is moving forward efficiently.

PPP reporting has been used in companies like Apple, Facebook, EBay, Skype and startup accelerators like Seedcamp and Antler as their internal reporting process.

Status Update

The status update allows team members to provide a quick update to their manager about key activities during the week.

Status Sheet

The status sheet allows the manager to see a high level view of key information for each employee.

Sections

This template includes the following sections:

• Progress Section - Used to enter what you accomplished since the last status update.
• Plans Section - Specify top priorities for the next time period.
• Problems Section - Problems, challenges, blockers, or impediments that you are facing.
• Notes Section - Free form notes to handle any other content.