Because “Any updates?” is not a strategy.

Daily standups are one of the simplest ceremonies in project management – and yet, they’re often run poorly.

If you’re a new PM, the temptation is to either:

1. Turn it into a casual gist session that drags for 45 minutes, or
2. Go stiff and corporate, reading updates like a nervous news anchor.

Here’s how to run standups that keep your team aligned, productive, and actually glad you’re the PM.

1. Know the Real Purpose:
2. 1. Standups exist to:
      1. Keep everyone on the same page
      2. Identify blockers early
      3. Make sure tasks are moving toward the sprint goal
   2. They are not for:
      1. Long problem-solving discussions (take that offline)
      2. Micromanaging your team’s every move
      3. Reading out Jira tickets like bedtime stories
3. Structure it Simply: A standup should answer three main questions per person:
   1. What did you work on yesterday?
   2. What will you work on today?
   3. Are there any blockers?
4. Keep it Short (Seriously): A good standup lasts 10–15 minutes max.
   
   1. Don’t be afraid to move side conversations to a follow-up call or Slack thread.
   2. The longer your standups, the less people will look forward to them – and that’s when they start coming late every time.
5. Prep Before the Call: As a PM, you should:
   1. Glance through the board (Jira, Google sheets) before the meeting
   2. Note who’s falling behind or stuck
   3. Identify dependencies that might block others
   4. This prep means you’re not just reacting to what’s said – you’re proactively guiding the meeting.
6. Manage the Energy
   1. You set the tone. If you show up late, low-energy, and unprepared, your team will match you.
   2. Greet the team warmly
   3. Celebrate small wins (“Thank you for fixing yesterday’s bug. Good work, team.”)
   4. Keep the flow moving
   5. You’re not a drill sergeant – you’re the conductor keeping the project moving in rhythm.
7. Close With Clarity: Before ending the standup:
   1. Summarize key blockers and who’s handling them
   2. Remind the team of the sprint or daily priority
   3. Confirm if any follow-up calls are needed
   4. This way, everyone leaves knowing exactly what’s next.

Common Newbie Mistakes to Avoid

1. Turning the standup into your personal status check – it’s a team sync, not your private interrogation
2. Allowing unresolved blockers to carry over for days without escalation
3. Letting “quick updates” become technical deep-dives in the middle of the call
4. Letting the answers start turning into a TED Talk, instead of cutting it short politely and note the topic for a separate discussion.

Bottom line:

Standups are about rhythm and alignment. As a new PM, your job is to make them fast, useful, and energizing – not a meeting everyone secretly dreads. If you can master this, you’ll build trust quickly, even if you’re still learning everything else.