🚩Stakeholder Updates Are Broken – Here’s How to Fix Them (Plus an Email Template)

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Hey, it’s Justin.

In this edition, we're focusing on effective stakeholder communication, providing you with best practices and a ready-to-use email template to enhance your project updates.​

In this issue:

🔹 Best Practices for Stakeholder Communication​
🔹 Stakeholder Update Email Template
🔹 Recent Developments in AI and Project Management
🔹 Upcoming Free Live Webinar

And more…

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BEST LINKS

My favorite finds

Strategy & Execution

• The Rise of AI Agents in the Workforce
  Explore how AI agents are being integrated into the workforce and the implications for project strategies.​

• International Standards Guiding Responsible AI Adoption
  Insights into how international standards are guiding responsible AI adoption in business strategies.

Tools & Optimization

• Organize Your AI Workflows with ChatGPT Projects
  Discover how OpenAI's new feature enhances organization and efficiency in AI-driven workflows.​

• Elon Musk's GSAi: Enhancing Government Productivity
  Learn about the development of AI chatbots aimed at improving productivity within government agencies.

AI in Action

• 'Have Your Bot Speak to My Bot': AI Productivity Apps in Daily Life
  A practical look at how AI applications are transforming daily workflows and project management tasks.​

  AI Users 'Not Working Less': Insights from Atlassian
  Insights into how AI tools are reshaping work patterns and efficiency in project environments.

Must-Reads

• The Next Great Leap in AI: Challenges and Costs
  An in-depth analysis of the challenges faced in advancing AI technologies and their implications for project planning.

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DEEP DIVE

Stakeholder Updates Are Broken – Here’s How to Fix Them

Most project updates fail.

They’re too long. Too vague. And worst of all? They don’t answer the only question stakeholders actually care about: "What’s in it for me?"

Here’s how to stop wasting their time and start delivering updates that get read, understood, and acted on.

1. Cut the Fluff – Get to the Point in 30 Seconds

Don’t start with a wall of text explaining the project’s history.
Instead, lead with the bottom line—status, key wins, and top risks.

Action: Write your update as if your stakeholder will only read the first two sentences. What must they know?

2. Stakeholders Don’t Care About Progress – They Care About Impact

Saying “We’re 75% done” means nothing.
Saying “We’re on track to save $50K in costs by launch” gets attention.

Action: Translate progress into business impact—time saved, money earned, or risks avoided.

3. Use Bullet Points, Not Essays

Long paragraphs get ignored.
Short, scannable bullets get read.

Action: Cut your update to half the length—then cut it again.

4. Address Problems Before They Ask

Saying “Everything is on track” when it’s not destroys trust.
Saying “Here’s a challenge we’re tackling and how we’re fixing it” builds credibility.

Action: Own the bad news. Show you’re proactive, not reactive.

5. Always End with a Call to Action

“Let me know if you have any questions” leads to nothing.
“I need approval on X and feedback on Y by Friday” leads to action.

Action: Make it clear what action is required—or expect nothing to happen.

Stakeholder Update Email Template (That Actually Works)

Subject: [Project Name] – Weekly Update

Hi [Stakeholder's Name],

Status: [On track / At risk]
Key Wins: [Biggest achievement this week]
Top Risks: [Biggest challenge and action plan]

What You Need to Know

• [One key milestone update]

• [One major risk and mitigation plan]

• [One upcoming decision or deadline]

Next Steps and What I Need from You

• [Action item 1] – [Owner] – [Due Date]

• [Action item 2] – [Owner] – [Due Date]

Let me know if you need more details. Otherwise, I’ll follow up next week with updates on [upcoming milestone].

[Your Name]

Final Thought

Most project updates fail because they overwhelm instead of inform. Keep it tight. Make it clear. Drive action.

Use this template and watch how fast your stakeholders start responding.

THAT’S A WRAP

Last Thing: Learn about my Project Management Accelerator with AI

I’ve put together a free informational guide for my new Project Management Accelerator with AI! This information brochure provides a comprehensive overview of the Project Management Accelerator course, outlining how you’ll gain in-demand skills, master AI-driven project management techniques, and position yourself for high-paying roles.

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Until next time,
Justin