Month 1
Proj Mngr: We have completed unit testing of most of the reports. The data loading for some of the months is left because of delays in providing the same by the user.
Client: How do you define ‘most’? ‘Some’ has no meaning for me. Please be more specific in your status reports.
Proj Mngr: Ok, I’ll take care of that next time.

Month 2
Proj Mngr: We have completed UAT of 90% of reports. Loading of data for months of Jul and Aug 09 (2 months out of 24) is pending.
Client: Let’s not get fooled by numbers.
Proj Mngr: …..

Now what’s a rookie project manager gotta do in this situation? How do should the project manager explain the status to the client without “getting fooled by numbers” and at the same time “being more specific”? Any smart ideas?

Disclaimer: This post is hypothetical, and has no relation to any event, object or person alive, dead or in a zombie state.