How can you use summarizing to clarify team goals and expectations?

1 Start with a summary

At the beginning of a project, summarizing can help you set clear and realistic goals and expectations for your team. You can use summarizing to review the purpose, scope, and deliverables of the project, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and deadlines of each team member. By summarizing, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and has a common understanding of what needs to be done and why. You can also use summarizing to check for any questions, concerns, or suggestions that your team may have, and address them promptly and respectfully.

2 Summarize during meetings

During regular meetings, summarizing can help you monitor the progress and performance of your team, as well as identify and resolve any issues or challenges that may arise. You can use summarizing to highlight the main achievements, challenges, and learnings of each team member, as well as the next steps and actions that need to be taken. By summarizing, you can acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and contributions of your team, as well as provide constructive feedback and guidance. You can also use summarizing to encourage participation and collaboration among your team members, and solicit their feedback and input on the project.

3 Summarize after feedback

After receiving feedback from your stakeholders, clients, or managers, summarizing can help you incorporate it into your project and communicate it to your team. You can use summarizing to restate the key points and recommendations of the feedback, as well as the rationale and benefits behind them. By summarizing, you can show your team that you are open and responsive to feedback, as well as confident and decisive in making changes. You can also use summarizing to explain how the feedback affects the goals and expectations of the project, and what adjustments need to be made accordingly.

4 Summarize at the end

At the end of a project, summarizing can help you celebrate the success and learn from the experience of your team. You can use summarizing to recap the achievements, challenges, and learnings of the project, as well as the impact and value that it delivered. By summarizing, you can express your gratitude and recognition to your team, as well as solicit their feedback and suggestions for improvement. You can also use summarizing to identify and share the best practices and lessons learned from the project, and how they can be applied to future projects.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?