Reporting: So What are you trying to tell me?

The Pink song “So What…?” came up in my playlist recently, and it reminded me of one of the greatest pieces of feedback I’ve ever received.

Back when I was a young project analyst, I’d been preparing a status report. I included lots of nice graphs and sections full of words on progress, risks, etc. When I asked for feedback, I got this question in return:

 “So what was the main point you were trying to get across with that report?”

I wasn’t sure. And I was devastated … but it got me thinking about how crucial it is to translate information into a clear narrative that drives the actions we seek. As PMO professionals, our role is not only to inform, but to provide insights and influence the journey of the project. 

 Ever since that day I’ve asked myself:

• I’ve produced a report - So what? Have I been clear and transparent on the status of the project, not obscuring poor progress? This will spark important conversations.

• I’ve raised a risk – So what? Have I been precise in the impact of the risk if not mitigated? This will drive the right actions forward.

• I’ve prepared a pack – So what? Have I clearly stated the decision required and presented options? This will make it easier for stakeholders to reach an informed decision.

I still see people at all levels of management whose instinct is to report on everything they’ve done, but important messages can be lost in long narratives and can stall project progress.

Asking “So what?” ensures that important messages are clear for my stakeholders, which allows me to continually influence the direction of my projects.