💡 Learn
Status Updates — "On Track, At Risk, Blocked"
10 min
B1
Free
The traffic light system
English-speaking project teams use a simple three-status system. French teams often give narrative updates — "ça avance bien mais il y a eu un petit problème avec...". English teams want a status first, details second.
"On track" — En bonne voie
"The design phase is on track — we will have mockups ready by Friday." Everything is going to plan.
"The design phase is on track — we will have mockups ready by Friday." Everything is going to plan.
"At risk" — À risque
"Testing is at risk — we have found more bugs than expected and may need an extra sprint." There is a problem but it is manageable with action.
"Testing is at risk — we have found more bugs than expected and may need an extra sprint." There is a problem but it is manageable with action.
"Blocked" — Bloqué
"API integration is blocked — we are waiting on credentials from the vendor." Can not progress without external input.
"API integration is blocked — we are waiting on credentials from the vendor." Can not progress without external input.
The status update formula
[Status] + [What] + [Why] + [Next step].
"Testing is at risk. We have found 15 critical bugs. I have reassigned two developers and we should be back on track by Thursday."
Useful phrases
"We are ahead of schedule on..."
Nous sommes en avance sur...
Nous sommes en avance sur...
"We have hit a blocker on..."
Nous avons rencontré un blocage sur...
Nous avons rencontré un blocage sur...
"The main dependency is..."
La principale dépendance est...
La principale dépendance est...
"I need a decision on X to unblock Y."
J ai besoin d une décision sur X pour débloquer Y.
J ai besoin d une décision sur X pour débloquer Y.
Common mistake
French speakers give the story first: "So we started the testing and then we found some bugs and then we had to reassign developers...". English stakeholders want the headline first: "Testing is at risk." Then the story. Status → details, not details → status.