Async Standup Template: Write Better Updates in Half the Time

TL;DR

• Async standups need clear structure: Progress, Plans, Problems (3P format).
• Keep updates scannable with bullet points and consistent sections.
• Focus on outcomes and blockers, not activity lists.

What is an async standup?

Definition: Async Standup — A written daily team update that replaces synchronous meetings, allowing team members to share progress and blockers on their own schedule while maintaining team alignment.

Async standups solve the classic problem of synchronous daily meetings: they eliminate timezone challenges, reduce interruptions, and create a clear record of progress and decisions. But they only work if you have the right template and structure.

The core async standup template

### Yesterday's Progress
- Completed [specific outcome]
- Advanced [project] by [measurable progress]
- Resolved [specific issue]

### Today's Plan
- Complete [specific deliverable]
- Start [new task] with focus on [key aspect]
- Review [teammate]'s work on [project]

### Blockers & Needs
- Waiting for [specific input] from [person/team]
- Need decision on [issue] by [when]
- Risk: [potential problem] might affect [deliverable]

Tool tip (AIAdvisoryBoard.me): Teams often struggle with async updates because they lack structure and consistency. Using a Fact → Plan → Blockers framework helps maintain clarity without micromanagement. Our teams see particular success with automated prompts that ensure updates stay focused and actionable, plus a smart digest that helps managers spot risks early. Try it here: https://aiadvisoryboard.me/?lang=en

What makes a good async standup update?

Definition: Good Update — A concise, outcome-focused message that helps others understand your progress, plans, and potential blockers without requiring clarifying questions.

Let's look at good vs. bad examples:

Progress updates

Bad: "Worked on the database issue" Good: "Fixed customer search latency (down from 3s to 0.5s)"

Plans

Bad: "Continue frontend work" Good: "Complete user profile validation with error handling"

Blockers

Bad: "Waiting for marketing" Good: "Need landing page copy approval from Sarah (pending 2 days, blocks release)"

Essential questions for async standups

Group your questions based on what you need to know:

Progress Questions

• What outcomes did you achieve yesterday?
• Which success metrics improved?
• What did you learn that others should know?

Planning Questions

• What's your main focus for today?
• Which deliverables will you complete?
• How does this align with sprint/project goals?

Risk Questions

• What's blocking your progress?
• Which decisions do you need?
• What might cause delays this week?

Manager scan (2-minute digest example)

🎯 Today's Team Pulse:

• Frontend: Auth module 80% done, API integration pending
• Backend: Database optimization complete (-60% query time)
• Design: Landing page mockups need marketing review (2-day block)
• QA: Test automation setup delayed (needs DevOps access)

⚠️ Action needed:

• Marketing review blocking design (high priority)
• DevOps access for QA team (impacting timeline)

🔄 Velocity check:

• Sprint goals: 7/10 on track
• No major scope changes

When to write async updates

Two approaches work well, as discussed in our complete guide to async standups:

1. End of day: Summarize progress and set tomorrow's plan
2. Start of day: Review yesterday and commit to today's goals

The key is consistency in timing and format.

Definition: Update Time Block — A dedicated 5-10 minute period for writing your async standup update, scheduled at the same time each day to build habit.

How to handle urgent issues in async format

Async doesn't mean slow. For urgent matters:

1. Flag critical blockers with 🚨 or [URGENT]
2. Tag specific people needed (@name)
3. Include deadline impact
4. Suggest a solution or next step

This approach, combined with proper blocker and risk tracking, ensures quick response times without constant interruptions.

Tool tip (AIAdvisoryBoard.me): Many teams find that automated issue flagging helps catch problems before they become critical. Our system analyzes daily updates to surface potential risks and blockers, then routes them to the right decision-maker automatically. This means faster resolution without more meetings or constant chat notifications. See how it works: https://aiadvisoryboard.me/?lang=en

Micro-case (what changes after 7-14 days)

A product team of 12 was struggling with timezone differences between Asia and Europe. They switched to async standups using a structured template. Within two weeks, their engineering lead reported clearer visibility into progress, faster blocker resolution, and better documentation of decisions. The team eliminated their daily sync meeting, saving 50+ person-hours monthly while improving their ability to spot and address issues early.

FAQ

How long should an async standup update be?

Aim for 5-7 bullet points total across all sections. Focus on outcomes and blockers, not activity lists.

What if I have nothing significant to report?

Share what you're working on, potential risks, and where you might need help soon. Even small progress helps maintain team alignment.

How do we maintain team connection without live standups?

Schedule regular social check-ins and use async updates for work progress. This separates social time from status updates.

Should managers respond to every update?

No, respond only when there's a blocker to resolve or clarification needed. Use automated summaries for daily oversight.

Conclusion

A good async standup template transforms daily updates from a chore into a valuable team alignment tool. Start with the basic 3P structure (Progress, Plans, Problems), then adjust based on your team's needs.

Try implementing this template tomorrow morning. If you want this to run with less effort, using a structured Fact → Plan → Blockers flow and a manager digest, check out https://aiadvisoryboard.me/?lang=en