Daily Standup Format
Overview
Daily standups keep the POC on track and stakeholders informed. Use this format for consistent, effective communication.
Standup Structure
Format: 15 Minutes Maximum
- Yesterday (5 min): What was accomplished
- Today (5 min): What's planned
- Blockers (5 min): What's blocking progress
Template
Date: [Date]
Attendees: [Names]
Yesterday's Accomplishments
Completed:
- [ ] [Task 1] - [Brief description]
- [ ] [Task 2] - [Brief description]
- [ ] [Task 3] - [Brief description]
Progress:
- [Metric/Status Update]
- [Key Achievement]
Issues Encountered:
- [Issue 1] - [Resolution or Status]
- [Issue 2] - [Resolution or Status]
Today's Plan
Planned Tasks:
- [ ] [Task 1] - [Expected outcome]
- [ ] [Task 2] - [Expected outcome]
- [ ] [Task 3] - [Expected outcome]
Goals:
- [Primary goal for today]
- [Secondary goal if time permits]
Dependencies:
- [Waiting on: Customer access, data, etc.]
Blockers and Risks
Current Blockers:
- [Blocker 1] - [Impact] - [Owner/Action]
- [Blocker 2] - [Impact] - [Owner/Action]
Risks Identified:
- [Risk 1] - [Mitigation plan]
- [Risk 2] - [Mitigation plan]
Help Needed:
- [What help is needed and from whom]
Success Criteria Status
| Criterion | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| [Must-Have 1] | ✅ Complete / 🚧 In Progress / ⏳ Pending | [Notes] |
| [Must-Have 2] | ✅ Complete / 🚧 In Progress / ⏳ Pending | [Notes] |
| [Should-Have 1] | ✅ Complete / 🚧 In Progress / ⏳ Pending | [Notes] |
Timeline Check
Days Remaining: [X]
On Track: ✅ Yes / ⚠️ At Risk / ❌ Behind
Key Milestones:
- [Milestone 1]: [Status] - [Due Date]
- [Milestone 2]: [Status] - [Due Date]
Next Steps
- [Action item 1] - [Owner] - [Due date]
- [Action item 2] - [Owner] - [Due date]
- [Action item 3] - [Owner] - [Due date]
Notes
[Any additional notes, decisions, or clarifications]
Quick Reference: Status Icons
- ✅ Complete: Task finished and validated
- 🚧 In Progress: Currently working on it
- ⏳ Pending: Not started yet
- ⚠️ At Risk: May not complete on time
- ❌ Blocked: Cannot proceed without resolution
- 🔄 Deferred: Moved to later phase
Best Practices
Do's
✅ Keep it brief (15 minutes max)
✅ Focus on progress and blockers
✅ Be specific about accomplishments
✅ Identify owners for action items
✅ Update success criteria status
✅ Track timeline and milestones
Don'ts
❌ Don't go into deep technical details
❌ Don't solve problems during standup
❌ Don't skip blockers (they won't resolve themselves)
❌ Don't make it a status report (it's a planning meeting)
❌ Don't let one person dominate
❌ Don't forget to follow up on action items
Remote Standup Tips
- Use video when possible
- Share screen for demos/status
- Use collaborative document (Google Docs, Notion)
- Record if stakeholders can't attend
- Send summary email after standup
Example Standup
Date: 2026-01-05
Attendees: John (Lead), Sarah (SE), Mike (Customer)
Yesterday's Accomplishments
Completed:
- [x] Deployed Argo Workflows to customer cluster
- [x] Created sample workflow for demo
- [x] Configured authentication integration
Progress:
- Infrastructure setup complete
- Core functionality working
Issues Encountered:
- Network policy blocking workflow execution - Fixed by updating policy
- Authentication timeout - Investigating with customer team
Today's Plan
Planned Tasks:
- [ ] Fix authentication timeout issue
- [ ] Create additional demo workflows
- [ ] Prepare demo script
Goals:
- Complete all must-have success criteria
- Have working demo ready for stakeholder review
Dependencies:
- Waiting on customer to provide updated SAML configuration
Blockers and Risks
Current Blockers:
- Authentication timeout - High impact - Owner: Sarah, Action: Debug with customer team
Risks Identified:
- Demo timeline at risk if auth issue not resolved today - Mitigation: Prepare backup demo without auth
Help Needed:
- Customer SAML team to review configuration
Success Criteria Status
| Criterion | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy to customer cluster | ✅ Complete | Working |
| Sample workflow executes | ✅ Complete | Tested |
| Auth integration works | 🚧 In Progress | Timeout issue |
| Dashboard accessible | ⏳ Pending | Planned for today |
Timeline Check
Days Remaining: 2
On Track: ⚠️ At Risk (due to auth issue)
Key Milestones:
- Infrastructure setup: ✅ Complete - Due: Yesterday
- Demo ready: 🚧 In Progress - Due: Tomorrow
Next Steps
- Debug auth timeout - Sarah - Today EOD
- Update demo script - John - Tomorrow
- Schedule stakeholder demo - Mike - Tomorrow