Progress Reports

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A progress report is similar to a staff report, with the exception that the audience can include people outside the organization as well as within it. A progress report updates clients or principals on developments in an ongoing project. On long-term projects, progress reports may be given at designated intervals or at the time of specific task completions. On short-term projects, reports can occur daily.

Audience

The audience for a progress report might be supervisors, clients, or customers; developers and investors; company officers; media representatives; or same-level co-workers. Progress reports are commonplace in staff meetings in which subcommittees report on their designated tasks. Audience questions are common at the end of progress reports (see Appendix B on handling question-and-answer sessions).

Organization

Different audiences may want different kinds of reports, so establish expectations with your intended audience, then modify the following accordingly:

  1. Briefly review progress made up to the time of the previous report.
  2. Describe new developments since the previous report.
  3. Describe the personnel involved and their activities.
  4. Detail the time spent on tasks.
  5. Explain supplies used and costs incurred.
  6. Explain any problems and their resolution.
  7. Provide an estimate of tasks to be completed for the next reporting period.