How to Write Blockers in Standup: A Guide to Effective Problem Reporting

Poorly communicated blockers can delay projects, frustrate team members, and lead to missed deadlines. Yet many professionals struggle to articulate their challenges effectively during standups. This comprehensive guide will show you how to communicate blockers clearly and get the help you need faster.

Why Effective Blocker Communication Matters

Blockers are more than just problems – they're opportunities for team collaboration and process improvement. When reported effectively, blockers can:

• Prevent project delays before they become critical

• Foster team collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Help identify systemic issues in your workflow

• Improve resource allocation and planning

• Build trust between team members and leadership

The Anatomy of a Well-Written Blocker

1. Clear Problem Statement

Start with a concise description of what's preventing progress. Avoid vague statements like "I'm stuck" or "It's not working." Instead, be specific:

❌ Bad: "The API is causing issues" ✅ Good: "The payment API is returning timeout errors for transactions over $1000"

2. Impact Assessment

Communicate the consequences of the blocker:

• What deadlines are at risk?

• Which deliverables are affected?

• Who else might be impacted?

Example: "This blocks the release of the checkout feature, affecting the entire sprint goal and potentially delaying next week's launch."

3. Context and Timeline

Provide relevant background information:

• When did the problem start?

• What has been tried already?

• How long has it been blocking progress?

4. Required Support

Specify what you need to move forward:

• Which team members or roles need to be involved?

• What decisions need to be made?

• What resources are required?

Blocker Template for Standups

BLOCKER REPORT

Issue: [Specific problem description]
Impact: [Affected work items and deadlines]
Context: [Background and previous attempts]
Needed: [Required assistance or resources]
Urgency: [Timeline and priority]

Real-World Examples

Technical Blocker

BLOCKER: Production database reaching 90% capacity
IMPACT: Risk of service degradation within 48 hours
CONTEXT: Noticed during morning monitoring; cleanup scripts running but insufficient
NEEDED: DevOps team member to help implement emergency scaling
URGENCY: Critical

- requires attention today

Process Blocker

BLOCKER: Missing design approval for homepage redesign
IMPACT: Development team idle, may miss sprint commitment
CONTEXT: Designs submitted 3 days ago, no feedback received
NEEDED: Design lead's review and sign-off
URGENCY: High

- blocking 3 developers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being Too Vague

• ❌ "I need help with the code"

• ✅ "Need assistance debugging authentication error in login module"

2. Waiting Too Long

• ❌ Sitting on a blocker for days before reporting

• ✅ Raising potential blockers early, even if not yet critical

3. Not Documenting Attempts

• ❌ "It's not working"

• ✅ "Tried solutions A and B, both resulted in error X"

4. Focusing on Blame

• ❌ "Marketing never gives us requirements on time"

• ✅ "Awaiting final requirements document for campaign pages"

Best Practices for Remote Teams

Async Blocker Communication

When working asynchronously, include:

1. Time zone context

2. Screenshots or recordings when relevant

3. Links to relevant documentation

4. Available times for sync discussions if needed

Using Collaborative Tools

Leverage tools to enhance blocker communication:

• Project management systems for tracking

• Shared documents for detailed context

• Screen recording tools for visual issues

• Chat platforms for quick updates

FAQ About Blocker Communication

Q: How often should I update about an ongoing blocker? A: Provide daily updates in standup, with significant developments shared as they occur.

Q: What if I'm not sure if something is a blocker? A: If it's slowing you down, report it. Better to raise a potential issue early than wait until it becomes critical.

Q: Should I include technical details in standup? A: Keep technical details brief in standup, but have them ready for follow-up discussions.

Creating a Blocker-Friendly Culture

1. Encourage early reporting

2. Focus on solutions, not blame

3. Celebrate when blockers are resolved

4. Document common solutions

5. Regular retrospectives on blocker patterns

Moving Forward with Better Blocker Communication

Effective blocker communication is a skill that improves with practice. Start by implementing these templates and guidelines in your next standup. Remember, the goal is to get help quickly and keep projects moving forward.

For teams looking to streamline their blocker reporting and daily updates, AIAdvisoryBoard.me offers a structured system for async communication. Our platform helps teams track blockers, share updates, and resolve issues efficiently – all without excessive meetings.

Start improving your blocker communication today, and watch your team's productivity and collaboration reach new heights.

Remember: A well-communicated blocker is already halfway to being resolved. Focus on clarity, impact, and needed support to get the help you need faster.