What are effective communication strategies for product progress updates?

This is critical at the initial point of engaging with stakeholders. As a PM, you have to set expectations, goals and metrics/KPIs early so as to set the pace and the mode of how you will engage with the stakeholder.

Don't reinvent the wheel. The "product progress" updates should be short, succinct, clear and most importantly templetized. Since this is a regular, recurring piece of communication, you want to make it predictable with: 1) posting at the same time and day, 2) using the same format, 3) calling out the key metrics visibly, so your update is scannable, 4) Having clear % up and down measurements for the time period of the update (if you update weekly, do WoW, if you update Monthly, do MoM)

As a product manager you should be the product champion that connect everyone has a relation to your product and make sure continuity of information flow, vision clarity, and clear targets. Finally, celebrate achievements with everyone engaged.

Effective communication strategies for product progress updates include: 1. Highlight Customer Value: Always emphasize the benefits for the customer. Ask, "How does this update enhance the user's experience or solve their problems?" 2. Visualize the Progress: Use graphs, charts, or illustrations to make updates more digestible and engaging. Visual aids can simplify complex information and help stakeholders quickly grasp the significance. 3. Show the Big Picture: Place the update in the context of the larger product strategy. For instance, if you're sharing an update on a specific feature, demonstrate where it sits on the product roadmap and how it contributes to the overall goals.

Effective product update communication keeps key stakeholders informed, aligned and invested throughout the product life cycle. For me I would say these : Customize communication according to the specific level of detail and frequency required for various groups, such as executives, customers, and the development team. Cultivate inclusive, cross-functional cooperation by keeping all parties engaged through consistent updates. Be forthright about challenges while also showcasing achievements and the team's valuable contributions.

A great advice here, in terms of communication, is to drop the fake "corporate" language and just "speak" like a normal human being. Makes your messages easier to read, and understand and makes them relatable. Remember also, that "less is more" and it's better to make a crystal clear message and provide details upon request (or in a link) rather than obscure the message with too many words and too much data.

Effective product communication is about adapting channels, frequency, and content to suit your audience's preferences. For instance, internal teams might prefer concise Slack updates, while customers may appreciate detailed blog posts; maintain a balance to avoid overload or neglect. Example: When launching a new feature, send a detailed email to the development team but share a customer-friendly video on social media to showcase its benefits.

When selecting the communication channels, use the most appropriate channels for reaching your audience, including email, in-person meetings, webinars, presentations, or project management tools like Slack or Trello. Be always open to two-way communication. It allows the stakeholders to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This can help you identify issues or opportunities you might have missed. Consistency is the key. You must establish a regular cadence for updates (e.g., weekly, monthly, or quarterly) to keep stakeholders informed and build a routine.

Be redundant. Sounds counterintuitive, but people may not even read the update you share the first time. Share updates via messaging tools, emails and reinforce them whenever you get the chance over a call. This applies to both internal and external audiences. One blog post is not enough for your customers, you need to repeat it a few times over (on an email, on a call, maybe during one of the governance calls) to ensure people know what you want them to know.

Even before channel & frequency, I would want to understand - What stage is product dev at - concept, PRD, design, dev, QE, release, experimentation, iteration etc. - Who are the stakeholders - PM lead, Engg. lead, HOD, Business counterparts etc. And then decide - who should communicate progress - via what channel - at what frequency - in what depth. eg PM & engg. will discuss product updates daily at story level, however, an exec comms may initially go say at fortinightly level highlighting topline summary, status & callouts.

Using visuals is huge. The same information communicated in a visual way, rather than simple text, can have a greater impact. Sometimes people have to "see" it before it clicks. Charts and graphs (number-based visuals), and status indicators, aren't the only way to do this. You can also include product and feature demos.

RAG (Red, Amber, Green) Status: Red: Indicates significant issues or problems that need immediate attention. The product may be at risk. Amber (or Yellow): Suggests caution; there might be some concerns or potential risks that require monitoring. Green: Signifies that everything is on track, and there are no major issues. OKR (Objectives and Key Results) Framework: Objectives: Clear and concise statements of what you want to achieve. They are the big-picture goals. Key Results: Measurable, specific outcomes that indicate progress toward achieving the objectives. OKRs help align teams and organizations by setting ambitious goals (objectives) and defining how to measure progress (key results).

It's not enough to report 'progress'. I suggest to report against three dimensions: time, work, and results. You might be at 100% at one, 75% on another, and 15% for another.

As a part of the product progress updates, the PM usually attends a bunch of meetings, some things get lost in them. Here is what I do today to ensure clear communication: 1. During the meeting I note down action items that are being surfaced during the discussion. 2. After the meeting, I send out the link to the doc with the table of action items and the date it is due and a column to share my progress if I am the owner. This way all relevant stakeholders are aligned on what will be delivered and when.

You can use a consistent format for your progress updates. This helps stakeholders quickly find the information they need and become familiar with the structure. Stick to the most relevant information and keep it focused. Avoid overloading your update with unnecessary details that may dilute the key messages. Breaking down your goals into OKR framework can help you align with Strategic Goals, focus on measurable outcomes, maintain clarity and transparency, and keep stakeholders accountable.

Feedback is a gift. Do whatever you can to collect it, to analyze it, to categorize it and to plan against it. It takes urge structure to process customers feedback and insights. Don't overlook the time and process to take it into account. And don't forget to close the loop when this feedback is implemented into the product: come back to whoever submitted them and point them to what's new.

Real feedback from real users are is gold in product development. It sparks ideas, triggers testing and helps prioritize. In my experience the users love to give feedback, and it is also very important for strengthening the client relationship. Remember also to keep them updated afterwards.

Feedback and alignment are the true goal of sharing any update. How you do it is equally important - deck or doc - in-person presentation - sharing sprint board etc. Again depending on audience & type of update your medium of update may change. Personally, what I've seen has worked best is 1/ to share a deck or dock w/ updates in advance for pre-read. 2/ solicit comments on this collaborative document (I prefer Google docs or Jira Confluence) 3/ discuss contentious comments in a focussed meeting in-person which can't be resolved offline.

Yes, feedback that is consumable and prioritized for product development is hard to get but so critical to success. The team must be on the same page. So often I’ve seen stakeholders dismiss feedback because it doesn’t align with internal priorities. Egos get in the way as well and bias actions taken. Take your egos out of it. Yes, it’s your baby but all babies can be improved. Allocate development cycles each quarter for product feedback.

Embracing honesty and transparency with all stakeholders indisputably brings numerous benefits! For more demanding stakeholders, like business Directors and peers, this approach fosters stronger partnerships that lead to better alignment in roadmaps, enhanced value delivery for clients, and even an improved workplace environment. In the case of team dynamics, promoting transparency cultivates trust and nurtures a sense of ownership – a prerequisite for any high-performing team. When everyone is well-informed and on the same page, the entire team feels included and accountable for the product's success.

This is at the core of everything. The only way to get ahead of risks before they become issue is the transparency of information, status and risks. The frameworks and models will work only if there is transparency for all stakeholders and teams.

Integrity should be part of the Product Manager DNA. Whenever I hire for a PM position, I'll ask a simple question to gauge it: "An important feature, requested by a customer, is going to be late. What do you tell them and your management?" Shall the person try to hide, it's a direct red flag.

Honesty and transparency always works! You get the customer’s trust and you’re golden. Customers will be patient as long as your product is of high quality and you’re honest. But don’t be continually late on developments…figure out how to estimate properly and fix your mistakes. That’s all a customer wants.

Being honest and transparent in product development is paramount. This approach not only garners trust but also fosters a sense of authenticity, a commodity that's becoming increasingly rare in a saturated market. By openly sharing progress, decisions, and even setbacks, brands position themselves as genuine partners in the consumer journey. Admitting mistakes is a testament to humility and a commitment to growth. Such practices ensure a loyal customer base and encourage collaborative solutions, reinforcing the notion that honesty isn't just morally right—it's also good business.

Gather factual and complete data. Get hands-on (functional and non- functional) and ask the right questions to ensure the data gathered on progress is factual and complete.

Anticipate anticipate anticipate! Bad news early is 10x better than bad news on time. Product level up is often about developing a sense of anticipation that enables you to be one of the first to see things going off the rails, so you can get out in front and start to communicate what you see and what the team can do to make things right. Communicating early and accurately is a real career builder when done consistently.

Effective communication strategies for product progress updates involve clarity, transparency, and alignment with the audience's needs. * Provide a concise summary of key product achievements, milestones, and challenges. * Use visual aids like charts or graphs to enhance the clarity of information. * Tailor the message to the specific audience's needs and interests. * Encourage questions and feedback to ensure understanding and engagement. * Maintain a regular cadence of updates to keep stakeholders informed and involved. * Highlight the value and impact of progress to illustrate the product's significance.

I suggest 2 considerations when communicating the product updates: 1. Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting cultural differences is key to effective communication. Different cultures have varying communication norms, expectations, and etiquette. For instance, in some cultures, direct and concise communication is appreciated, while others prefer more indirect and elaborate messaging. 2. Multilingual Communication: If your audience includes non-English speakers, consider providing translations of critical updates or using simple and universally understood language. Additionally, offering documentation or resources in multiple languages can enhance understanding and inclusivity.

Bring it to life! Wheel in a client, or some customer feedback quotes, or a video of a customer panel reviewing the new / improved feature. Powerful to set aside the Reports and PowerPoints from time to time.