Project updates: using the present continuous for status reports

B1
90 min
Premium
1

Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. Think about a project you have worked on at your job or school. How did you let your team or boss know about your progress?
  2. When someone gives a project update in a meeting, what information is most important to share? What makes an update helpful or unhelpful?
  3. Imagine your project is behind schedule. What is the best way to explain the situation to your manager or team?
2

Giving a Project Update

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer these questions in your own words based on the audio recording.

01What is the team working on this week?
Sample answerThey are testing the new payment system.
02What is the main problem with the project right now?
Sample answerThe mobile version of the website is loading very slowly.
03What does Marco think is causing the problem?
Sample answerHe thinks the images are the problem and need to be optimized.
04What does Marco need Emma to do before the website can go live?
Sample answerHe needs her to sign off on it once it's working.
4

Key vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you give project updates more effectively.
Examples
be on track — to be progressing as planned and likely to be completed on time
Usage note: This is a positive way to report progress. You can say 'The project is on track' or 'We are on track to meet the deadline'.
run into an issue — to experience an unexpected problem or difficulty
Usage note: This is a common and professional way to talk about problems. For example, 'We ran into an issue with the software'.
sign off on (something) — to give formal approval for a piece of work
Usage note: This is a common phrasal verb in business. For example, 'We are waiting for the manager to sign off on the budget'.
the next step — the next action or stage in a process
Usage note: Use this phrase to clearly introduce what you plan to do next. 'The next step is to contact the supplier'.
meet a deadline — to finish something by the agreed time or date
Usage note: This is a key collocation for project work. The opposite is 'to miss a deadline'. For example, 'It's important that we meet the deadline'.
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Key terms for project management

Learn some common words used when discussing projects at work.

Match each word on the left with its correct definition on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Present continuous for current actions and future plans

Grammar
We use the present continuous (be + verb-ing) to talk about actions happening now or around the present time, and also for fixed future plans. This tense is very useful when giving a project update because you can describe what your team is currently doing and what you are planning to do next.
Examples
We are currently reviewing the feedback from the client.
Use 'are reviewing' to describe an action that is in progress now or around the present time. It's the team's current focus.
I am meeting with the design team tomorrow morning to finalize the plans.
Use 'am meeting' for a fixed future arrangement. It's a confirmed plan, not just a possibility.
The project is progressing well at the moment.
This describes an ongoing situation. Remember to include the verb 'be' (is, am, are) before the -ing verb.
Key points
  • Use for actions happening now or around the present time.
  • Use for fixed plans and arrangements in the future.
  • Common mistake: Forgetting the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'He working' instead of 'He is working').
7

Find the mistake

Read the sentences about project updates. Can you spot the error in each one?

Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.

01We are meet the client next Tuesday to discuss the feedback.
Corrected version
We are meet meeting the client next Tuesday to discuss the feedback.
02The feedback from the clients are very positive so far.
Corrected version
The feedback from the clients are is very positive so far.
03Right now, the design team works on the new logo.
Corrected version
Right now, the design team works is working on the new logo.
04The manager needs to sign off in the designs by the end of the day.
Corrected version
The manager needs to sign off in on the designs by the end of the day.
05We need to get the final approve from the manager before we continue.
Corrected version
We need to get the final approve approval from the manager before we continue.
06Everything is progresing well and we are on track to finish on time.
Corrected version
Everything is progresing progressing well and we are on track to finish on time.
07We ran into an issue, so we can't meet the final date.
Corrected version
We ran into an issue, so we can't meet the final date. deadline.
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Useful phrases: giving a status report

Vocabulary
Here are some common phrases you can use in a team meeting to talk about your progress on a project. They will help you sound clear and professional.
Examples
Just a quick update on... — a simple and direct way to start your report.
Register: neutral. Use this to introduce the topic you are about to discuss. For example: 'Just a quick update on the Q3 marketing campaign.'
So far, so good. — to say that everything is progressing well and there are no problems yet.
Register: neutral to informal. Use this when things are going according to plan. It's a positive and slightly informal way to say 'we are on track'.
We've hit a small snag with... — to describe a minor problem or difficulty.
Register: neutral. A 'snag' is a small problem. This phrase is useful because it signals an issue without causing alarm. For example: 'We've hit a small snag with the supplier's delivery schedule.'
I'd like to get your input on... — a polite way to ask for opinions or advice from your colleagues.
Register: neutral to formal. Use this when you need help or want to make a collaborative decision. It shows you value your team's ideas.
My main focus for this week is... — to state your top priority for the near future.
Register: neutral. This is a great way to talk about your next steps and manage your manager's expectations about what you will complete.
That's all from me for now. — a clear phrase to signal that you have finished your update.
Register: neutral. Use this to pass the turn to the next person in the meeting. You can also say 'That covers everything from my side.'
9

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01Despite a slow start, the project is now back and we expect to finish on time.
02We've run into a small with the software, but the IT department is looking into it.
03We can't start the next phase until the manager has had a chance to on the designs.
04We are working hard to meet the end-of-month for the first draft.
05The next in the process is to gather feedback from the client.
10

An update on the marketing campaign

Imagine you are part of a marketing team. You receive this email from your project manager.

Read the email below, then answer the comprehension questions.

Hi everyone,

Here's a quick status report on the new marketing campaign. We are currently developing the social media content, and the design team is creating the visuals. For the most part, we are on track to meet our deadline next month.

However, we did run into an issue with the video production. The filming location is no longer available, so we are looking for a new one right now. This might cause a small delay. Because of this, we are pushing back the client review meeting to next Wednesday.

The next step is to get the new location confirmed. After that, the client needs to sign off on the final video script. I'm feeling confident we can solve this problem quickly. I'll provide another update by the end of the week.

Thanks,

Maria

01What part of the project is causing a problem?
Sample answerThe video production is causing a problem because the original filming location is not available anymore.
02What are the social media and design teams working on at the moment?
Sample answerThe social media team is developing content and the design team is creating visuals.
03What two things need to happen before the video can be completed?
Sample answerThey need to confirm a new location and the client must sign off on the script.
04How does Maria probably feel about the project's future?
Sample answerShe feels optimistic and confident that they will solve the problem and meet their goals.
11

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. Is it always best to be completely honest when you run into an issue, or is it sometimes better to try to fix the problem yourself before telling your manager?
  2. In your country's work culture, how important is it to meet every deadline exactly? How does this affect the way teams report that a project is on track?
  3. Imagine your manager signs off on the current stage of your project. What is the most important next step for the team to take to ensure you meet the final deadline?