pingpong

Work coordination

Write a weekly update people can scan

Give the assistant your bullet notes from the week and tell it who will read the update. A good update leads with what changed, names blockers honestly, and ends with a specific ask instead of a vague heads-up.

A text to start with

Here are my notes from this week. The audience is my manager and one peer. Format the update as what I completed, what is in progress with where it stands, any blockers, and what I need from someone else by when. Keep accomplishments factual and cut anything that sounds like padding. Flag any item that is too vague to include without more detail from me.

Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.

What to check before you send

Each completed item should name the result. If the draft says something was finalized or resolved, confirm that it was. Each blocker should identify the dependency and who can help. If you need an answer by a particular date, add it. Put the largest change first so a reader can find it quickly.

Making the update easier to write next week

Keep a running note during the week and add a line whenever something ships, stalls, or changes. Friday goes faster when the notes already exist. Send the update at the same time each week so readers know when to expect it.