5 Questions That Unlock Real Accountability in Your Projects

You’ve assigned the task. Everyone nodded. Deadlines were mentioned. And yet… nothing moves. Sound familiar?  

In the latest episode of the PMO Strategies podcast, we outline five simple but powerful questions that will help you hold your team and stakeholders accountable for doing their part…without you having to beg or constantly nag them.  

 1. Did You Know I Wanted You to Do It?

Tasks often fall through the cracks when ownership isn’t explicit. General phrases like “let’s make sure this gets done” can lead to confusion, especially in fast-paced environments with overlapping priorities. 

✔️ Best practice: Assign responsibility by name. Clarify expectations in the moment and follow up in writing to ensure alignment. 

 2. Did You Know What I Wanted You to Do?

Even when team members are aware of an ask, the specifics of what’s required can be misunderstood. Ambiguous instructions like “get this moving” can mean vastly different things depending on the role or perspective. 

✔️ Best practice: Define success clearly. Spell out the exact deliverables expected, not just the intention behind the request. 

 3. Did You Know How to Do It?

Skill gaps, uncertainty about tools or methods, or fear of doing something wrong can all cause delays—even with experienced professionals. Many hesitate to admit when they’re unclear on how to proceed. 

✔️ Best practice: Invite open conversation by asking, “How are you thinking about tackling this?” or “Do you feel confident in the approach?”

4. Did You Know When I Wanted It Done?

Loose timelines like “ASAP” or “next week” are productivity killers. Without a clearly defined due date, priorities become subjective and deadlines slip. 

✔️ Best practice: Replace ambiguity with specificity. Use time-blocking strategies and collaborative deadline setting to ensure commitment and feasibility.

5. What’s Blocking You?

Once clarity around ownership, task, method, and timing is achieved, it’s time to uncover what’s really in the way. It may be fear of conflict, unclear prioritization, or simply lack of motivation. 

✔️ Best practice: Normalize open conversations about blockers. Regular check-ins with questions like “What’s in the way?” or “What support do you need?” can surface challenges before they derail progress. 

The Bottom Line 

These five questions serve as a practical blueprint for diagnosing accountability breakdowns and resetting alignment. When used consistently, they shift the focus from blame to clarity, from assumption to understanding. 

Teams that adopt this approach move faster, communicate more effectively, and achieve stronger outcomes—without the drama of repeated misfires or unclear expectations. 

👉 Click play above for the 5 Questions That Unlock Real Accountability in Your Projects 

Something BIG is coming to London 

On June 13, I’m hosting a small-group, full-day workshop: IMPACT Engine Fundamentals. If you’re tired of being stuck in the task trap and ready to drive measurable business value, this is your chance. We’ll walk through the Strategy Lifecycle, explore the IMPACT Driver mindset, and give you the foundation to transform your PMO or delivery team into a strategic powerhouse. Reserve your seat now. Space is extremely limited, so don’t wait!