Say what good looks like

Choose a current assignment and show what successful completion looks like. Use an example of work that meets the standard and explain its essential features.

For a customer update, you might say: “Send the update by Thursday at noon. State the current status, the decision you need, and when you need it. Check the dates with the project owner before sending.”

Make the standard useful beyond this assignment. For customer updates, the skill is communicating status and getting a needed decision. Keep the criteria, a good example, and any checklist together where the person can find them. Explain where they apply to future updates and where judgment is needed.

Clarify what the person can decide and what needs approval. Agree on when they should ask for help, including what to do if the deadline becomes uncertain.

Have them explain the assignment in their own words. Ask which requirements they are unsure about or cannot meet with the available time and resources. Resolve differences and adjust the expectation when needed. Confirm their agreement and record it where both of you can find it.

When you observe them applying the standard, say exactly what they did: “You put the decision first in today’s update. I could see what you needed from me.” Give corrections against the same standard.