Writing · Free lesson
Project updates: a risk or a current issue?
A stakeholder needs to know whether a problem is possible or already affecting the work.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Use may or might for an uncertain future event: “The supplier may miss Friday’s delivery.” For a confirmed missed delivery, state the fact: “Yesterday’s delivery has not arrived.” Then qualify any uncertain effect: “This may delay testing.”
Separate the event’s status from its possible consequence.
A risk concerns uncertainty; an issue is already present. In this update, use a factual clause for the missed delivery and a modal clause for the uncertain testing delay. Do not hide an existing problem behind may. Do not turn a possible knock-on effect into a confirmed schedule change.
Compare the examples
The supplier may miss Friday’s delivery.
Yesterday’s delivery has not arrived.
This may delay testing.
May marks uncertainty, not politeness by itself.
Build the meaning step by step
State the current fact
Yesterday’s delivery has not arrived.
Qualify the possible effect
This may delay testing.
Try it now
Check the status
Read all answers and explanations
Friday has not arrived. Delivery is uncertain. Choose the update.
The supplier may miss Friday’s delivery.May preserves the future uncertainty; the other choices report failure as a fact.
Delivery was due yesterday and has not arrived. Report that fact.
Yesterday’s delivery has not arrived.Has not arrived states the known current problem.
The delivery is late. Its effect on testing is not confirmed.
This may delay testing.May qualifies the effect without denying the confirmed delivery issue.
Put it into practice
Repair the stakeholder update
The shipment due yesterday is missing. Testing impact is still uncertain. Preserve both facts.
The shipment may be late. Testing is definitely delayed.
See a model answer
Yesterday’s shipment has not arrived. This may delay testing.
A clear update separates evidence from prediction.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can an issue create another risk?
Yes. A missed delivery is current; a possible future testing delay may remain uncertain. Describe them separately.
Must I always avoid will?
No. Use wording that matches the evidence. If a revised date is confirmed, report it as confirmed instead of adding artificial uncertainty.
Take it into your day
A confirmed issue can still have an uncertain future effect.
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