RAG status is a project management reporting technique that is used to quickly and visually communicate the overall health or status of a project, task, or deliverable.
The term “RAG” stands for Red, Amber (or Yellow), and Green, and it is used to categorize and signify the current status of various aspects of a project. These colors are typically associated with a traffic light system, where red signifies caution or problems, amber or yellow indicates a potential issue or concern, and green means that everything is on track and going well.
Here’s what each color typically represents in a RAG status report:
- Red: This color is used to indicate that a project or task is in a critical condition or has significant issues. It suggests that immediate attention is needed to address problems or obstacles that could potentially derail the project.
- Amber (or Yellow): Amber or yellow is used to signify that there are concerns or potential issues that need monitoring. While the project may still be on track, it might require some adjustment or additional attention to ensure it doesn’t turn red.
- Green: Green represents a healthy status, indicating that the project is progressing as planned and there are no significant issues to report. This is the desired status for most project components.
RAG status reports are a concise way to provide stakeholders with a quick overview of a project’s health, allowing them to identify areas that need immediate action or further investigation. These reports can include various project metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) to support the assigned color status and provide a more comprehensive picture of the project’s status.
It’s important to note that the specific criteria for assigning RAG status can vary between organizations and projects, so it’s essential to define the criteria and thresholds that determine whether a project component is categorized as red, amber, or green within your particular project management framework.
