Strategic Architect Framework: Microsoft CSA Training Program

Red Update Template

Module 06: Radical Transparency & The Trusted Advisor

When to send a Red Update: When a project is materially at risk: timeline, scope, budget, or technical viability, and the customer has not yet received clear, written communication of that risk and their options. A Red Update is not a failure report. It is a Trusted Advisor act. The alternative: a surprise: destroys trust irreparably.

Header

Project name

Status

● RED ▲ AMBER ● GREEN

Date

Prepared by

Primary recipient

Section 1: Current Status (one sentence, unambiguous)

Write one sentence. Do not soften, hedge, or use passive voice. "The project is currently on track to miss the Q3 compliance deadline by 6–8 weeks" is correct. "There are some concerns about timeline" is not.

Section 2: Root Cause

Name the specific constraint or failure that produced the RED status. Avoid generic statements. "The data migration is blocked pending a governance decision on PII classification that has not been made" is specific. "There are technical challenges" is not.

Section 3: Customer Impact

What is the consequence to the customer if this risk is not resolved by [date]? State it in business terms, not technical ones.

If unresolved by	Customer impact

Section 4: Options

Present a minimum of two options. Include one "no change" option with its full consequences named. The customer must see that maintaining the current course is a choice with a cost, not a neutral default.

Option A: [title]

What this involves

Tradeoffs / risks

Estimated timeline / cost impact

Option B: [title]

What this involves

Tradeoffs / risks

Estimated timeline / cost impact

Option C: No change to current course

Consequence if this option is selected (name it fully)

Section 5: Recommendation

State clearly which option you recommend and why. A Trusted Advisor makes a recommendation: they do not present options neutrally and wait for the customer to choose without guidance.

Section 6: Decision Required

We need a decision on the above by: to avoid [consequence].

Decision owner:

Follow-up call scheduled: