Chicago Dashboard Update
Can you cover your whole update before the call ends?
You're on a weekly call with your manager at the Chicago office. You've made progress on an internal customer support dashboard, but the planned demo may need to move. You have to explain what you've finished, what changed, and why—without losing the thread of your update.
Project updates can feel especially stressful when someone asks about a deadline you might miss. In this free Speedrun Mission, you have 100 seconds to speak to your manager. Practise giving a clear progress report, explaining the delay, requesting specific help, and saying what you'll do after the call.
What you need to say
- Report your progress
- “I built three charts for the dashboard.”
- “The first draft is done.”
- “This week I prepared the main charts.”
- State the delay
- “The demo is delayed until Wednesday.”
- “We need to move the demo from Monday.”
- “The dashboard is behind schedule.”
- Explain why
- “The support team sent the ticket data on Tuesday.”
- “It's because the data file arrived after our deadline.”
- “We couldn't get the export in time.”
- Ask for what you need
- “Could you assign another analyst for an hour?”
- “Please approve extra help for the dashboard.”
- “I need you to confirm which charts matter most.”
- Say what you'll do next
- “Next I will check the numbers.”
- “Tomorrow I'll test the charts.”
- “Then I'll send the revised dashboard.”
Sample answers — your own words count too.
Key vocabulary
- dashboard
- a screen showing key project data
- progress update
- a report on work completed so far
- draft
- an unfinished version
- demo
- a presentation showing how something works
- behind schedule
- later than planned
- ticket data
- information from customer support requests
- data export
- data saved or sent from another system
- assign an analyst
- give an analyst the task
- next steps
- actions to take after this
Tips for this situation
- Start with completed work: "I've built the main charts for the dashboard."
- Name the schedule problem directly: "The Monday demo is at risk."
- Give a concrete reason, not just an apology: "The ticket data arrived late."
- Ask your manager for one specific action: "Could you assign an analyst for an hour?"
- Close with a next step you control: "Next I'll check the numbers and send an updated draft."
How Speedrun Mission works
- 1Tap play and sign up in seconds — it's free.
- 2The manager speaks English; answer by holding the mic (or type).
- 3Cover every goal before the 100-second clock runs out, then share your time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I give a project update in English on a team call?
Use a simple order: what you've completed, whether the deadline has changed, why it changed, what help you need, and what you'll do next. Keep each point to one or two sentences. That structure makes it easier for your manager to follow your update and respond.
How can I say a demo is delayed without sounding vague?
Name the demo and describe its status clearly: "The Monday demo is at risk" or "We need to move the demo." If you know the new date, add it. If you don't, avoid guessing; explain what needs to happen before you can confirm a date.
What should I say when my manager asks why the dashboard is late?
Give a specific cause, such as "The ticket data arrived on Tuesday" or "We couldn't get the export in time." Then connect that cause to the work it affected. Saying only "We're behind schedule" describes the delay but doesn't answer why it happened.
How do I ask my manager for help with a delayed project?
Ask for a concrete action your manager can take. You could say, "Could you assign another analyst for an hour?" or "Can you confirm which charts matter most?" A specific request helps your manager make a decision. Finish by saying what you'll handle next.
Can you cover your whole update before the call ends?
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