How to Track What Someone Promised

How do you keep track of what someone promised? Write it down the moment you hear it, with a date, and set yourself a day to check.

“I will get back to you.” “We will look into it.” “Someone will call you.” Promises like these are easy to make and easy to forget. If you are the one waiting, the only reliable memory is yours.

Ask the two questions

Whenever someone says they will do something, ask:

• “By when?” A promise without a date is a hope.
• “Who will do it?” Ask for a name, not just a team.

Then write both down.

A simple promise tracker

Who promised	What they promised	By when	How I will know	Follow up on
Sam, intake	A letter with the reasons	22 March	The letter arrives	26 March

You can keep this in a notebook, a spreadsheet or the notes app on your phone. A row for each promise is plenty.

Check in on the date

Put the follow up date in your calendar. If the promise has not been kept, you already have what you need: who said it, when and what they said.

When a promise is broken

Stay calm and stick to the facts. Send a short message: “On [date], [name] told me [what] would happen by [date]. I have not received it. Could you let me know the current status and when I can expect it?” There are more steps in What to Do When an Organisation Does Not Respond.

Keep the promises you make, too

If you promised to send something, send it, and note that you did. It keeps the record fair and makes it harder for anyone to say you were the one who dropped the ball.

The bit that matters most

Tracking promises is not about catching people out. It is about making sure what was agreed actually happens. If the promise is kept, you have lost nothing. If it is not, you have what you need to follow up.

LighteningUp Navigator will have a Promise Tracker built in. You can read about it on the Navigator page.