Progress Reports: Organization

In general, a progress report has 4 major sections, with subsections often found in the middle two:

  • Introduction,
  • Work Completed,
  • Work Scheduled,
  • Conclusion.

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Component Includes/Does This
Introduction
  • This section does not really need a heading because it is obviously an intro.
  • Indicate purpose of progress report [in a sentence or two]: 
    • name the project 
    • define the time period covered by the report 
    • tell the purpose: to inform readers about the current status of the report
  • Indicate purpose of project: 
    • mention project’s objectives and scope 
    • name the major work areas in a sentence 
    • summarize the work done to date (introduces body of report, where you’ll discuss this info in depth) 
Work Completed
  • Give this section a major heading [like Work Completed]
  • After your main heading, include a brief introduction that summarizes the work you’ve completed
  • Summarize the main tasks completed to date: 
    • specify the time period covered 
    • specify major tasks completed [ex: writing, research, production of visual aids] 
    • develop each major task in a paragraph or two of its own, with its own subheading
    • discuss the major tasks in the order in which they were brought up in the introduction to the section
Work Scheduled
  • Give this section a major heading [like Work Planned] 
  • After your main heading, include a brief introduction that summarizes the work you have left to do
  • Summarize the remaining work chronologically: 
    • specify the time period covered 
    • develop each major task in a paragraph of its own, with its own subheading
    • discuss the major tasks in the order in which they were brought up in the introduction to the section
    • include a Gantt Chart that breaks down the remaining tasks and gives a tentative completion date for each.
Conclusion
  • Give section a heading like Conclusion 
  • In this section, perform any number of the following tasks [you determine most logical order]: 
    • appraise the work done thus far 
    • make conclusions/recommendations concerning work [use separate subheadings if needed] 
    • look to future tasks in a sentence or two you sign off in a cordial manner by indicating flexibility and encouraging reader response 
    • provide contact information
  • DO NOT add a signature block, as this is going to be a memo