# Escalate a blocked project issue to my sponsor

A concise escalation that states the problem, impact, options, and the specific decision you need, without blame.

- Topic: Email & Workplace Communication
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Write, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/escalate-a-blocked-project-issue-to-my-sponsor

## Prompt

```text
Help me escalate a blocked issue on my project to my sponsor.

**The issue:** [WHAT is blocked and since when]
**What I have already tried:** [ACTIONS and who I spoke with]
**Impact if unresolved:** [on dates, cost, scope, quality, or customers - with numbers if I have them]
**Decision deadline:** [by when a decision is needed before impact hits]
**Options I see:** [e.g. "pull a developer from Team B", "accept a 3-week delay", "buy vendor support"]
**My recommendation:** [OPTION, or "help me decide"]
**Sensitivities:** [other leaders involved, politics, relationships to protect]

Write the escalation so it:
- States the decision I need in the first two sentences.
- Describes the problem factually, with no blame on named people or teams.
- Shows I have tried to resolve it at my level first.
- Lays out 2-4 options with impact and trade-offs for each.
- Gives my recommendation and why.
- Puts the decision deadline in bold.

Do not invent impact figures - use [ADD NUMBER] where I have not provided one.

Return:
1. 3 subject line options.
2. The escalation email (under 250 words).
3. A 3-line version for chat or a hallway conversation.
4. What to do if I get no reply by the deadline.
```

## What to fill in

- WHAT is blocked and since when
- ACTIONS and who I spoke with
- by when a decision is needed before impact hits
- OPTION, or "help me decide"
- other leaders involved, politics, relationships to protect
- ADD NUMBER

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.