Reporting during game development isn't just a box to check; it's a game-changer (no pun intended). Sometimes during development we may think we are going on the right way, but when we're going through a milestone we notice we may overspend resources, or maybe the publisher wants to know in a detailed manner how the project is going. Or sometimes the team is quite big and it is difficult for everyone to be on the same page or up to the news.
That's why reports may be useful, even if we have an Agile Pipeline, a report is a very quick way to see or to summarize the whole milestone or even a sprint and we can keep everything in order before it is too late.
A little more detailed ways that reports can help are:
1. Keeping It Real with Transparency:
Let's be real; transparency is like the secret sauce to teamwork. Reports spill the beans on the Game's progress, so everyone (team members and outside people) knows what’s up with the development.
Reports must be 100% realistic, not optimistic nor pessimistic, just show everything how it is, objective and clear.
2. Spotting Hurdles Early:
Reports aren't just paperwork. They’re like superhero vision goggles, helping us spot problems when they're still small fries: Tech hiccups, creative puzzles, or resource problems –we catch them early and fix them up on your planning. Crisis averted.
And yeah, you should have a planning made months ago.
3. Smart Moves with Info-Packed Decisions:
Reports aren’t just for show; they’re the real deal with data on our game’s heartbeat. Leaders, publishers, and other cool folks can make moves based on facts, not guesses: Budget, deadlines, and market fluctuation– all in the report.
4. Learning and Growing:
Reports aren’t just history books; they're guides to getting better. Check out what worked, what didn’t, and tweak our game plan. It's like a game level-up for our skills and strategies.
This is called a Post-Mortem, and if you do a PM during the development on every milestone, the game will not have a "Mortem" earlier and the real PM will become a little more of a "Happy Memory"
5. Juggling Resources Like a Pro:
Game dev is like spinning plates – time, money, talent, tech tools. Reports? They’re the eyes that keep us from dropping the plates. No burnout, fair task splits, and making sure we’ve got what we need.
Every producer should keep track on everything going on their guard, a report is a pretty easy way to do so and then share that information later with others.
6. High-Fives and Cheers for the Win:
Reports aren’t just for pointing out what needs fixing. They're the megaphones for shouting out wins, big or small. Celebrate those achievements, boost the team’s mood, and keep the vibe buzzing. Because we’re all in this game together. 🚀
One for all or One for each?
In most cases, for small studios one report can be more than enough, not to many people on the team, you can summerise the report on the milestone meeting and give the important, detailed and boring stuff on paper to the publisher to stay informed.
But... in some cases one is not enough and you may need to take some extra time to divide the information, select it and then share it to the corresponding email.
Fortunately we can divide those reports into 3 (or 2 depending on the team size) Also I'll give you a template for each one of them to have an idea and then you can make it yours
The Power of Effective Communication: Reports for Publishers
Publishers are the key partners who finance and support video game development projects. For them, transparency and understanding are essential. Regular reports provide a clear window into the game's progress, allowing publishers to assess the project's health and make informed decisions.
Key Content of the Report for Publishers:
General Project Overview: Describe the current state of the game, achievements, and obstacles overcomed, whats left, what was descarted, how we are going to fix it.
Completed Milestones: Detail the significant milestones achieved since the last report and how they contribute to the final goal. I advice you to also add who made the report, the date presented and who aproved the milestone.
Budget and Time: Update on current and projected expenses, as well as deadlines met or delayed.
Risks and Solutions: Identify potential future obstacles and provide strategies to address them.
Download the Publisher's report right here:
The Compass to Success: Reports for the Team Leaders
The team leader plays a crucial role in guiding the team to success. Reports for the team leader not only inform but also serve as a tool for strategic decision-making.
This report can be subsituted with the team report if the team aint that big.
Key Components of the Report for the Team Leader:
Team Performance Evaluation: Analyze productivity and individual performance to optimize task allocation.
Required Resources: Identify any additional resources needed, whether in terms of personnel, tools, or training.
Alignment with Goals: Verify if the project aligns with long-term objectives and adjust the strategy as necessary.
Publisher Feedback: Integrate publisher feedback and define strategies to address any concerns or suggestions.
Download the Team Leader's report right here:
The Heart of the Project: Reports for the Team
The development team is the heart of any video game project. Internal reports are essential to keep everyone on the same page, foster collaboration, and ensure an efficient workflow.
If the team is too big, you can let the Team Leader do this report so it is more adapted to the department it is focused on.
Essential Elements of the Report for the Team:
Goals Achieved: Celebrate accomplishments and recognize the team's hard work.
Challenges Overcome: Highlight challenges faced and solutions implemented to inspire others and share knowledge.
Next Steps: Clarify pending tasks and provide guidance on future steps.
Needs and Obstacles: Encourage the team to express any needs or obstacles that may impact progress.
Download the Teams report right here:
In conclusion, reports during each development milestone are more than mere updates; they are powerful tools that strengthen communication, align objectives, and ultimately contribute to the success of a video game project.
So, report with enthusiasm and build incredible worlds!
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