Providing Regular Progress Updates to Clients: A Guide for Small Businesses

Winning a big tender can be a significant milestone for small businesses, but it’s only the beginning. Delivering on the project’s objectives and meeting the client’s expectations requires effective communication and regular progress updates. In this article, we’ll provide guidance on how small businesses can provide regular progress updates to clients after winning a big tender.

1. Establish a Communication Plan

Develop a communication plan that outlines the frequency, format, and content of progress updates. This plan should include:

• Regular meetings or calls
• Email updates
• Project management software
• Reporting templates

2. Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Identify the KPIs that will be used to measure progress and success. These KPIs should be aligned with the project’s objectives and the client’s expectations. Examples of KPIs include:

• Project timelines
• Budget tracking
• Quality metrics
• Stakeholder satisfaction

3. Use Project Management Software

Utilize project management software to streamline communication, collaboration, and progress tracking. Popular options include:

• Asana
• Trello
• Basecamp
• Microsoft Project

4. Provide Regular Progress Reports

Provide regular progress reports to the client, including:

• Summary of progress made
• Overview of upcoming tasks and milestones
• Identification of any issues or risks
• Recommendations for next steps

5. Conduct Regular Meetings and Calls

Schedule regular meetings and calls with the client to discuss progress, address concerns, and align expectations. These meetings should be:

• Scheduled in advance
• Well-structured and agenda-driven
• Minuted and actioned

Providing regular progress updates to clients is critical to building trust, ensuring satisfaction, and delivering successful projects. By establishing a communication plan, defining KPIs, using project management software, providing regular progress reports, and conducting regular meetings and calls, small businesses can effectively communicate with clients and deliver on project objectives.