RAGstatus

RAG status, short for red-amber-green status, is a simple color-coded scheme used in project management, risk assessment, and governance to communicate the current health or risk level of a project, task, portfolio, or initiative. The colors usually map to a default interpretation: green indicates that the item is on track and within approved tolerances; amber (or yellow) signals caution, potential issues, or deviations that should be monitored; red denotes serious problems requiring immediate attention and corrective action. Organizations may customize the exact thresholds for each color.

In practice, RAG status is used in dashboards, status reports, and governance reviews. Statuses are typically derived from a combination of quantitative metrics—such as schedule variance, cost variance, scope changes, and risk exposure—and qualitative assessment by project leads. Red flags often trigger escalation paths, action plans, and assigned owners. Trends over time are often more informative than a single snapshot.

Criticism includes oversimplification, subjectivity, and potential for inconsistent application or color-coding gaming. Accessibility concerns for colorblind users are noted. Best practices include defining explicit criteria for each color, documenting the justification for a given status, using accompanying narrative and key metrics, updating at a defined cadence, and ensuring consistency across the organization. When possible, supplement color with labels or icons to improve clarity.

Related concepts include traffic light reporting and similar color-coded dashboards used in IT service management, risk dashboards, and portfolio governance. While useful for at-a-glance communication, RAG status is most effective when combined with quantitative data, context, and explicit action plans.