PROGRESS REPORT

WRITING

GUIDELINES
 1. INTRODUCTION
A progress report:

1.1. Documents an on-going project.

1.2. Represents not only the writer’s work

but also his/her organisational and
communication skills.

1.3. Must account for problems

encountered during project execution.
In IPJ420S – Industrial Project 4B,

progress report  aims to keep

mentor(s), co-ordinator and
evaluators informed about project
progress in terms of:

(i) work completed,

(ii) problems encountered and
(iii) work remaining, among other
things.
 2. FORMAT
2.1. Title Page and Table of Contents

Title page should include:

• Progress report number
• Reporting period
• Date of report
• Project title
• Student’s name
• Mentor’s name
• Course title
2.2. Introduction.

First indicate:
• Purpose (subject) of report
• Intended audience (mentor, co-ordinator,
evaluation panelists)
• Clearly define reporting period

Then,
• Explain project's objectives, purpose, scope, etc.
and
• Give:
– project description
– ‘start’ and ‘completion’ dates
– names of parties involved in project (if more than one)
– status of the project as at last time of report
2.3.Progress Summary
Divide section into two major sub-sections:
• ‘Administrative Progress’ and
• ‘Technical Progress’.

Under each heading discuss (may use as sub-headings):

• work done so far,
• work in progress, and
• work to be done,
focusing on what part is complete, what part is in progress and what
part is yet to be done.

Sub-sections may be arranged chronologically.

Highlight any costs incurred in your project so far and include

personal time spent, predicted costs and completion time for the
project.
2.4. Problems Encountered

• Problems are expected.

• They may be ‘administrative’ or ‘technical’ or both.

• Don't hide them; explain what they are and how they might
affect key areas of the project (such as timing, price,
quality, etc.).

• If the problems occurred in the past, explain how you

overcame them.

• If the problems are in front of you, explain what strategies

you have in place to overcome them, in what time frame, or
what kind of help you may need in order to overcome them. 
2.5. Changes in Requirements

• If there are any changes to the original

specifications, they must be included here, and the
influence they have on the final product (if a product
is going to be made).

• Changes may include: milestones added, new

requirements, or changes in the schedule (good or
bad). Even if these changes have not affected the
ultimate goal of the project, you need to mention
them. Also explain anything that may change the
expected quality of the final product.
Note: If changes made were a direct result of problems
encountered, sections 2.4 and 2.5 may be combined.
2.6. Work scheduled for the next phase

• Explain your plan of action for the next phase.

• Specify the dates of the next segment of time
up to the second progress report (and beyond) and
outline a schedule of the work you expect to get
accomplished during the period.
• Arrange the section by dates which should stand for
deadlines.

3. Conclude your report by evaluating your progress

thus far, in a sentence or two.

4. Appendices may be included if necessary.  

END!