how to make progress report presentation

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Progress Report: How to Write, Structure, and Make Project Progress Visually Attractive

Picture this: Days or weeks into a project, your supervisor asks for a progress report.

Depending on your experience with writing progress reports, you might respond with readiness, anxiety, or confusion. Where do you begin? How do you know you’ve created a satisfactory or even amazing final report? Fear not—the expert team here at Piktochart is here to help.

In this progress reporting guide, we’ll not only give you top tips on how to write a successful report but additionally provide you with progress report templates and checklists to keep you focused on the important stuff. We begin, of course, with the all-important question anyone from a newbie to even a seasoned professional might have: “What is a progress report?”

Table of contents:

What is a progress report, why is a progress report important.

• How to write a progress report
• How to structure a progress report
• Free progress report templates you can edit right away

Progress report checklist

In case you prefer watching over reading, feel free to check out the video summary of this blog post:

A progress report is exactly what it sounds like—a document using simple and straightforward language that explains in detail what has been achieved and what else is needed for project completion. Essentially this document is a status update before the final report, outlining tasks completed by a team member, project manager, or team, along with what else needs to be done.

W hether you need to provide daily progress reports or even quarterly progress reports, this asset outlines the activities you’ve carried out, the tasks you’ve completed, and the milestones you’ve reached vis-à-vis your project plan .

Depending on the scope and complexity of the project, you might need to give a progress report weekly or monthly or for every 25% project milestone.

In terms of audience, a progress report is typically written for a supervisor, colleague, or client. Progress reports can be written from the perspective of one person as well as an entire team or department.

Throughout your career, you’re likely to be creating more reports than you can count (challenge for you: count them and find how many resources you’re using!).

Perhaps you find yourself spending more time crunching data and plugging numbers into graphs than actually working.

Reports don’t have to be as time-consuming as they often are. Progress report templates are time-savers! Get your free Piktochart account so you can follow along as we share more templates below.

We also tapped into the brilliance of Kevan Lee of Buffer in this interactive content experience to help you with your progress report projects.

Dive right in here, and learn some reporting hacks from Kevan .

Sometimes it might feel like writing about your progress in detail is redundant, especially when you’ve been regularly communicating with your supervisor, teammates, and client throughout the course of the project. Like any project manager, you probably think there are more important things to work on.

But this type of professional report is actually quite useful for several reasons.

1. It gets everyone on the same page

Each person who receives a copy of the report will know what has been accomplished and what is remaining. This prevents confusion about what has been or has yet to be done. Additionally, it provides proof and data about the respective project that can be cited and sourced if and when questions arise in the future.

2. Writing progress reports facilitates collaboration

This is especially important when different teams or departments work together. Knowing what another team is prioritizing helps prevent working in silos and also reduces task redundancy. Additionally, progress reporting helps a team identify areas where it can offer help or collaborate with others.

When teams can track progress on where other teams are on the project timeline, project managers get a better idea of the current status. They can reassign resources to make sure everyone is on track to hit the deadline for the current project, which can be tricky if you’re managing remote teams .

If you’d like to learn more about how you can work together with your team on a report, sign up for a free Piktochart account and try our online report maker .

3. It improves transparency and accountability by providing a paper trail

When you submit your report, you’ve placed on record that you’ve accomplished a task or explained why your results were different than expected. Once the document has been accepted, it becomes part of the project’s official documentation.

So, just in case someone accuses you in the future of failing to accomplish a task or not reporting a problem, you can point to the progress report as proof that you did so.

On the flip side, if your project ever gets nominated for an award, you can be sure validators will come seeking documents that explain how the entire thing was accomplished.

4. It improves project evaluation and review

Next time you plan for a project, your team can examine documents, including progress reports, of previous projects to find out what was done right, what went wrong, and what can be improved.

Previous reports can shed light on systemic issues, loopholes, and other causes of delay or failure—both internal and external—that must be avoided or resolved.

5. It provides insights for future planning

When the supervisor knows what tasks have been accomplished, he or she can focus on monitoring progress toward the next stages of the project.

When a report shows that delays have occurred, the supervisor is able to investigate the problems that hindered progress and take steps to prevent them from happening again in the future.

The supervisor will also be able to adjust the project timeline if absolutely needed or instruct teams to double down.

Ultimately, all the valuable insights from the project documentation can increase the chance of success for future projects.

Here is a progress report format example:

How to write progress report s

Have you ever found yourself stuck tapping your pen or staring at a blinking cursor, unable to begin writing?

Writer’s block is not an unusual experience when creating progress reports, especially for those whose jobs typically don’t involve drafting a long document or creating a formal report.

One reason people may find it difficult to write these reports is the thought that they’re not ‘writers.’ Yet, this is simply a negative mindset.

Reports don’t require sophisticated language—in fact, the simpler, the better.

Here are some writing tips on progress reporting:

“Piktochart is my go-to tool when I’m looking for a way to summarize data that is easy for our upper management to review. Piktochart provides me with the tools to display data in a creative, visually appealing way.” – Erica Barto, Selection, Testing & Assessment Specialist at Valero Energy Corporation Create a report, presentation, infographic, or other visuals online with Piktochart. You don’t need any graphic design experience to make professional visual content. Sign up for free .

1. Think of it as a Q&A

Before you start worrying about your reporting frequency and whether you should provide monthly reports or weekly reports, take a step back and focus on the purpose of the report itself.

In essence, the reporting process comes down to Q&A; you’re answering key questions about your progress. Imagine your manager, colleagues, or client asking you their most important questions, and you’re simply providing them with answers on the project status.

For example, let’s say that you’re organizing a weekend fair with food stalls and music and that you’re put in charge of food concessions.

The project plan might require you to have secured letters of intent (LOI) from at least 10 businesses by the end of the first month.

Your progress report would then outline the companies or entrepreneurs who have sent LOIs, including a description of their businesses and plans for their food stalls. If talks are in progress with other businesses that haven’t yet sent LOIs, you can include that and explain when they’re expected to send in their letters.

On the other hand, if you haven’t met your target, you’d have to explain why but also narrate the efforts you have exerted and the expected timeline for achieving the desired results.

2 . Use simple and straightforward language

This doesn’t mean you can’t use technical jargon.

For example, if you’re in the construction business, you don’t have to avoid using terms like “tender” or “variation” or “risk management.”

But otherwise, speak plainly. Use clear and concise language.

One misconception in business writing is that complexity impresses. In truth, it only causes confusion. Fact is, being able to speak plainly about your subject indicates that you understand your subject matter inside out.

Let’s get specific. One thing that makes business documents dreary is the transformation of verbs into nouns—just like I did there.

If we had to rephrase that to keep the verb, we’d write, “transforming verbs into nouns.” It sounds simpler and gets to the point.

3 . Avoid using the passive voice where possible

Sometimes, you can’t avoid using the passive voice in formal documents that prohibit the first-person point-of-view. But when done well, it helps to make your progress reports more relatable.

Going back to the food concession example, a passive sentence would read: “Research on potential food concessionaires was carried out.”

To make that sentence active, give it an actor (which is the team in this case), as in: “The team researched on potential food concessionaires.”

4. Be specific

A study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience found that when you use concrete words, you tend to engage both the left and right parts of the brain, while the right region tends to remain unstimulated by abstract words.

While the jury is still out on exactly how word meanings are represented in the mind, we can agree that the phrase “a merry sound” doesn’t stir the imagination as much as “tinkling bells”.

“A hot day” doesn’t activate visual imagery as much as “a melting popsicle” does. When a reader’s mind is stimulated by words, it’s less likely to drift off.

Taking the previous example, “researched on potential food concessionaires” doesn’t evoke a visual image. Meanwhile, “built a list of 50 potential food concessionaires” is more concrete, especially when you add details of what food items might be sold.

5. Explain jargon if needed

This depends on who will be reading your progress reports, and if you’re using very specialized jargon that only members of your team would be familiar with.

For example, in a report written by a construction team addressed to the project manager , construction jargon could be used as the recipient obviously understands it.

6. Spell out acronyms when they first occur in the document

Don’t assume that every single person reading the report will understand all the acronyms you use without you spelling them out.

For instance, in construction work, SWMS should first be spelled out as “safe work method statement”. ‘Pre-starts’ should be spelled out as ‘pre-start checks’. So in your report, it would look like this: “safe work method statement (SWMS)”, then all subsequent references are free to just be SWMS.

7. Stick to facts

Avoid providing an opinion, unless it’s part of the project.

For instance, your task might be to analyze data and offer your interpretation and prediction. In that case, you can offer your speculation and point of view, as long as you have evidence to back you up.

8. Use graphics to supplement the text

Avoid writing down a long series of numbers in a sentence. Try using different types of graphs , tables or charts, especially when dealing with a series of numbers.

Here at Piktochart, we have many progress report templates, and the hiring progress report below is a great example.

When using graphs or charts, try out several types to determine which ones best present your data. You might use a bar graph , pie chart , line graph , or even scatter plot . When doing so, though, spend time distinguishing different data sets from the others by using labels and colors.

Don’t worry if this sounds daunting—there are plenty of software that can help you visualize data , including the most basic examples, MS Excel and Numbers for Mac.

How to structure progress report s

You may still be wondering about the exact process of how to write a progress report. Armed with all of these practical tips, how do you put the report together?

First, it depends on the type of report, as well as the intended reader. A progress report may be written daily, weekly, or monthly. It may be written for an individual or a team.

As you’ll see in the examples below, the main parts of a progress report are:

1. Introduction

This part provides an overview of the contents of the progress report. It’s best to write this after you’ve completed all the other parts of the report. That way, you’ll be able to provide an accurate summary.

Keep it short and simple. One or two paragraphs will do.

2. Accomplishments

Numbers and details are your friends, especially when writing this section of the progress report. The accomplishments you write should correspond to your goals.

What were your goals for the period covered by the report?

This could be a goal for the day, week, month, or quarter. On the other hand, it could be a team goal, too.

Be concrete when writing goals. For instance:

Avoid providing too much detailed information. The simpler this section is, the easier it is for stakeholders and the project team to see the project priorities.

4. Roadblocks

Explain what situations, if any, prevented you from achieving your goals, or may have hindered the project’s progress.

But don’t stop there. Be proactive and present an action plan and timeline for resolving the roadblocks. Include details, such as funds, materials, and human resources you may need to implement the solution.

Progress reporting templates you can edit right away

To guide you better, here are progress report template examples that are visually attractive and highly readable.

These templates are available if you sign up for a free Piktochart account . Once you log in, use any of the templates below and edit the elements and text to make it your own.

1. Daily progress report s

A daily progress report includes your goals for the day, as well as your accomplishments the previous day. It also explains challenges encountered in performing tasks and achieving goals.

Another section under the daily report is ‘lessons learned’. These need to be directly related to the day’s tasks and challenges, as well as to the previous day’s accomplishments.

2. Weekly progress report

Weekly progress reports provide a week-by-week breakdown of what has been accomplished and what tasks remain to be completed.

Just like a daily report, a weekly progress report may include challenges and lessons learned. Examples are included in the templates below.

To get a better idea of this, let’s go back to the events example:

• Many potential vendors were attending a week-long industry convention; couldn’t book meetings.
• Potential vendors didn’t read the entire email.

Lessons Learned

• Consider industry events when planning a timeline for contacting clients
• Introductory emails must be short and have readable formatting

3. Monthly progress report ing

A monthly report is necessary for projects with longer durations. The report may provide both monthly and quarterly data on project progress.

4. Team progress report s

Team progress reports provide information on both team and individual milestones and progress status. Now this one is more complicated, simply because it involves several people who may have worked on different tasks.

It’s not enough to just let one person make the report. Of course, one person can do the typing, but everyone must provide input and feedback.

One way to keep a record of different team members’ input is to keep track of edits they have made.

To do this, simply enable tracking of changes on a Word document, or on Pages for Mac users. When working on a collaborative tool like Google Docs , click the pencil icon on the top-right part of the window, and choose “Edits become suggestions” on the drop-down menu. Here’s what that looks like:

On the other hand, team members can insert comments or questions. Again, you can do this easily on a Word document, as well as on software that let you comment on shared documents, like Google Docs and Piktochart .

Here’s what it looks like in Piktochart (learn more about this feature in our guide to annotated comments for teams ):

Here’s one example of Piktochart’s many team project report templates .

One last thing… You’ve finally finished typing up your report—breathe a sigh of relief, but don’t hit ‘send’ just yet.

Go over it at least once (better to do it more than once, especially if it’s a team report). Re-read the article, edit the content as needed, then ask a teammate to proofread with a fresh pair of eyes.

Finish your progress report on time

Be more accountable and efficient with your progress reports using Piktochart’s professional-looking and editable progress report templates.

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Progress Report: What is it & How to Write it? (+Examples)

Picture this: You're a project manager juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and team members. Keeping the balance between different tasks is hard but very important.

Enter the progress report, your secret weapon in conquering chaos and ensuring smooth sailing.

But what exactly is a progress report, and how do you craft one effectively? In this blog post, I'll demystify progress reports and guide you through the process of writing one.

From daily progress reports to weekly progress reports, using practical progress report templates and a tried-and-true format.

What is a Progress Report?

A progress report is a vital tool in project management , designed to keep different types of stakeholders informed about the ongoing status of a project.

It's a concise document highlighting current achievements, challenges, and goals, allowing the project manager to track progress and make necessary adjustments.

Project progress reports are one of the most important types of project management reports . They help maintain transparency, communication, and accountability within a team, ensuring everyone is on the same page. They also provide valuable insights for decision-makers, helping them gauge the project's overall health and success.

Here's what you can expect to find in a typical progress report:

• Project Overview: A brief summary of the project's objectives and scope.
• Current Status: A snapshot of where the project stands regarding completed tasks, milestones reached, and overall progress.
• Challenges and Issues: Any technical difficulties, resource constraints, or personnel issues.
• Next Steps: The immediate tasks and goals on the horizon and how the team plans to tackle them.
• Progress Report Format: The layout of the report can vary depending on the organization's preferences or industry standards.

Writing a progress report can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. You'll create a valuable document that keeps everyone informed and aligned by breaking it down into manageable sections and using clear, concise language.

Embrace the progress report writing skill and watch your team's productivity and communication soar.

Why are Progress Reports Important?

Progress reports play a vital role in project management, serving as a communication tool to keep stakeholders updated. Let's delve into why progress reports are crucial for the success of any project or business.

Transparency and Accountability

Progress reports eliminate ambiguity and promote transparency. By regularly sharing project updates with stakeholders, the project team is held accountable for their work. This accountability ensures everyone is on track to meet the project milestones and objectives.

Identify Potential Issues Early

Progress reports help identify potential problems before they escalate. Team members can spot bottlenecks, delays, and other issues by examining project data and analyzing the progress report.

Early detection enables the team to take prompt action and prevent these issues from derailing the project.

Effective Decision-Making

Armed with accurate and timely information from progress reports, project managers and stakeholders can make informed decisions.

When a project progresses smoothly, management can allocate resources more efficiently or plan for future phases. On the other hand, if a project encounters challenges, swift decisions can be made to reallocate resources or change course.

Maintaining Momentum

A progress report's important aspect is maintaining momentum. When team members see their progress documented and shared, it fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

This positive reinforcement encourages teams to keep pushing forward and maintain their productivity.

Improved Communication and Collaboration

Progress reports facilitate better communication and collaboration among team members. By sharing updates and insights, the entire team stays informed, reducing the chances of miscommunication or misunderstandings.

Moreover, progress reports provide a platform for team members to ask questions, provide feedback, and offer support.

Performance Tracking

Business progress reports, such as quarterly, monthly, or annual progress reports, help track performance over time.

By comparing past reports, management can gauge the business's overall health and identify trends or patterns. This historical data can inform future strategies and drive continuous improvement.

How to Write a Progress Report

Step 1: define the purpose.

The first step in writing a progress report is understanding its purpose. Progress reports inform stakeholders about the project's status, including what has been accomplished, any challenges encountered, and future planning. This allows project managers to keep everyone in the loop and make informed decisions.

The purpose of this monthly progress report is to update the management team on the project's status. It presents an overview of completed tasks, in-progress tasks, upcoming tasks, and any challenges faced during the reporting period. This report will also provide insight into key performance metrics and future planning .

Step 2: Know Your Audience

Determine who will read the progress report. Is it for higher-ups, clients, or team members? Tailor the language, tone, and level of detail accordingly.

Step 3: Set the Timeframe

Decide the reporting period – weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Choose a timeframe that best suits your project's pace and stakeholder expectations.

Step 4: Collect Information

Gather data on tasks completed, team members involved, and any obstacles faced. Consult previous progress reports, project documentation , and team members for accurate information.

Step 5: Organize Content

Break down the report into logical sections. Here’s what we suggest:

• Summary: A brief overview of the report's contents.
• Completed Tasks: List tasks accomplished during the reporting period.
• In-Progress Tasks: Describe ongoing tasks and their current status.
• Upcoming Tasks: Outline tasks scheduled for the next reporting period.
• Challenges: Discuss any obstacles encountered and how they were addressed.
• Key Metrics: Highlight key project performance indicators and progress towards goals.
• Future Planning: Discuss plans for the next reporting period and any adjustments needed.

Step 6: Write the Summary

Craft a concise summary that provides a snapshot of the report. Mention key achievements, challenges, and plans for the future. Keep it brief but informative.

This progress report covers our team's accomplishments during Q1, with a particular focus on the completion of the website redesign and the initiation of our social media marketing campaign. We've encountered some challenges in coordinating with external vendors, but we've implemented solutions to overcome those obstacles .

Step 7: Detail Completed Tasks

List all tasks completed during the reporting period. Include the following information:

• Task description
• Team members involved
• Start and end dates
• Any relevant metrics (e.g., hours spent, budget used)
• Task 1 – Implement a user login system.
• Team members: Jeff and Sarah.
• Start date: January 1st.
• End date: January 15th.
• Metrics: 98% successful login rate.

Step 8: Discuss In-Progress Tasks

Outline ongoing tasks, their current status, and expected completion dates. Explain any delays and their impact on the project timeline .

• Task 2 – Develop a mobile app.
• Current status: 70% completed.
• Expected completion date: February 15th.

Step 9: Describe Upcoming Tasks

Identify tasks scheduled for the next reporting period. Provide details such as:

• Assigned team members
• Estimated start and end dates
• Dependencies on other tasks
• Task 3 – Launch marketing campaign.
• Assigned team members: Anas and Mark.
• Estimated start date: February 16th.
• Estimated end date: March 1st.
• Dependencies: Completion of mobile app development.

Step 10: Address Challenges

Discuss any challenges encountered during the reporting period. Describe how they were resolved or any plans to address them in the future.

• Challenge 1 – Unforeseen technical issues causing delays.
• Resolution: Increased resources and adjusted project timeline to accommodate the additional time required.

Step 11: Present Key Metrics

Highlight key project management performance indicators and progress toward project goals. Use visuals like charts or graphs to make the data more digestible.

• Metric 1 – User registration rate.
• Current status: 500 new users per week.
• Target goal: 1,000 new users per week.

Step 12: Plan for the Future

Discuss plans for the next reporting period, including any adjustments required. This may involve reallocating resources, revising timelines, or redefining objectives.

In the next reporting period, our focus will shift to improving user retention and engagement. We plan to implement new features based on user feedback and optimize the onboarding process.

Step 13: Proofread and Revise

Review the report for clarity, accuracy, and readability. Ensure all information is presented in a clear, concise manner.

Step 14: Submit the Report

Submit the progress report to the relevant stakeholders, ensuring they have ample time to review and provide feedback.

Example Progress Report Template

Use this template as a starting point for your progress report:

By following these steps and guidelines, you'll be well-equipped to write an effective progress report that keeps stakeholders informed and drives project success. Clear communication is key to maintaining momentum and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Examples of Progress Reports

1. business progress report.

A business progress report helps track company growth, accomplishments, and areas for improvement. It includes:

• Revenue and sales figures.
• Market trends and competition.
• Operational efficiency.
• Employee performance.
• Goals and milestones achieved.

2. Quarterly Progress Reports

These reports offer a snapshot of a project or business every three months. They cover:

• Major achievements.
• Challenges faced and solutions.
• Key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Updated project timeline.
• Budget status.

3. Monthly Progress Reports

Monthly progress reports provide more frequent updates on projects or departments. They highlight:

• Accomplishments and setbacks.
• Progress towards monthly goals.
• Resource utilization.
• Issues and risks.
• Action items for the upcoming month.

4. Project Status

Project status reports focus on a specific project's progress. They showcase:

• Project documentation updates.
• Completed tasks and upcoming deliverables.
• Risks and issues encountered.
• Team members' performance.
• Changes to project scope or timeline.

5. Personal Progress

Personal progress reports help individuals track their growth and development. They include:

• Personal goals and objectives.
• Achievements and lessons learned.
• Skill development and training.
• Performance feedback.
• Areas for improvement and action plans.

Best Practices for Writing Progress Reports

Know Your Target Audience

When you create a progress report, start by identifying your target audience . Project stakeholders, team members, and future decision-makers should all benefit from your report.

Write in such a way that it is easy for them to understand. Avoid technical jargon and explain industry-specific language so everyone stays on the same page.

Reporting Frequency and Dates

Establish a reporting frequency for your progress reports. Whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, maintain consistency. Include report dates and the expected completion date of the current project to provide a clear timeline.

Stick to the Project's Scope

Focus on the project's scope and stay within the project's purpose. Don't digress or include unrelated details. A concise report ensures that readers remain engaged and informed.

Review Previous Reports

Refer to the previous report to identify any changes or developments. Highlight the work completed, project deliverables , and any updates to the project plan. Doing so will maintain continuity and keep stakeholders informed about the department's progress.

Prioritize and Organize

Arrange project priorities logically, focusing on the most critical aspects first. Organize the information in a clear, easy-to-follow format. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points for better readability.

Be Transparent About Problems

Don't shy away from discussing problems or challenges. Addressing issues helps stakeholders understand the project's status and any hurdles that may affect successful completion. Offer potential solutions or workarounds to demonstrate proactive thinking.

Back Up Progress with Relevant Data

Use relevant data to support your progress. Figures, charts, and percentages can provide a quick overview of the project's status. Make sure your data is accurate, up-to-date, and presented in an easy-to-understand format.

Highlight Team Member Contributions

Acknowledge team members who have made significant contributions to the project. This recognition boosts morale and encourages continued excellence.

Include Future Projections

Discuss what's next for the project, such as upcoming tasks or milestones. This helps stakeholders understand the trajectory of the project and anticipate the work ahead.

Keep it Simple and Actionable

Present complex ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand language. Break down complicated concepts into manageable chunks. Offer actionable insights and practical takeaways, so stakeholders can quickly grasp the project details.

Establish a Database

Create a database to store all progress reports. This repository helps stakeholders access past reports and provides valuable insights for future projects. It also ensures that information is preserved and easily accessible when needed.

Proofread and Edit

Before sharing your progress report, proofread and edit for clarity, consistency, and accuracy. This step ensures that your report is polished, professional, and easy to understand.

Progress Reporting FAQs

A progress report is most valuable when you're working on a long-term project. It's a way to keep stakeholders updated on progress and share important insights.

The primary purpose of a progress report is to provide a clear and concise overview of a project's status. This includes: – Communicating progress toward goals – Identifying potential issues and solutions – Demonstrating accountability and commitment to the project – Providing a step-by-step guide of completed tasks and upcoming work – Offering visual aids, like charts and graphs, to illustrate data A well-crafted progress report keeps stakeholders informed and fosters collaboration. It's also valuable for maintaining momentum and motivation throughout the project.

Writing Progress Reports Does Not Need to Be Hard

So, you've reached the end of this blog post. You're now equipped with the knowledge and tools to make progress report writing a breeze. Remember, it doesn't have to be a daunting task.

Keep it simple, stick to the facts, and let your progress shine. Talk about what you achieved, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Use a clear, concise, structured format to ensure your message is easily understood.

To simplify the process, check out our guide on project reporting tools .

Ask yourself:

• What are the key takeaways from this period?
• How can I best communicate the status of the project?
• Are there any challenges that need addressing?

Considering these questions will make your progress report informative, actionable, and engaging. And don't forget, practice makes perfect. The more progress reports you write, the easier and more efficient the process will become.

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Martin luenendonk.

Martin loves entrepreneurship and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs by validating the business idea, finding scalable customer acquisition channels, and building a data-driven organization. During his time working in investment banking, tech startups, and industry-leading companies he gained extensive knowledge in using different software tools to optimize business processes.

This insights and his love for researching SaaS products enables him to provide in-depth, fact-based software reviews to enable software buyers make better decisions.

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How to prepare and write valid progress report for project?

What is a progress report.

The project status report summarizes your project progress compared to project plan milestones. It is a robust communication tool to keep everyone in the loop, synchronize people, and reach project goals as a result. A monthly email, progress report slides, or shared drive link is a typical frequency and format for spreading similar records.

There are several ways you can structure it and present it, and these are the most popular solutions:

• Word document;
• PowerPoint presentation;
• Excel table;
• Web-based platform page.

Read our previous article on presentation design trends in 2022/2023 to make your progress report even more attractive.

An attractive progress report on a project is usually sent to all project stakeholders: team members, steering committee members, sponsors, executives, end users, customer representatives, etc. In other words, you must send the report to anyone who touches the project scope and wants to receive the deliverable and progress updates.

One way to make your report is to send a ‘ do my presentation ’ request to credible services. Another way is to read this article with detailed project progress report templates you can apply to Word, PowerPoint, or any format you prefer. Follow it wisely!

How to Make a Progress Report Presentation?

1. project summary.

The first slide of any progress report for the project is a project summary. Commonly, you want to include information to remind stakeholders what your team is actually doing and what you include in this particular report.

Scope Statement

Add a “Scope Statement” to indicate the area you’re responsible for from a delivery standpoint.

Scope Statement Template: To implement the new future state security center with a focus on streamlining people activities and implementing technology to support the new ways of working by the end of Q4.

Project Priority Matrix

Project Priority Matrix has to let people know what your constraints are and what you’re willing to optimize and accept from scope, time, and budget perspectives. It becomes handy when you have requests from people off to the side, like, “we do not understand everything else but make sure to please add this element”. And you have your matrix as the strongest argument as to whether it is possible or not.

Project Priority Matrix Template:

2. High-Level Milestones

The next slide you’d prefer to have in your project progress report is “High-Level Milestones”. It helps you to give an overarching view of your team’s activity ⎼ what they’re currently performing, delivering, or challenging. The presented data must support a scope statement and the priority matrix to create an integral progress image, either a brand new person or a regular viewer.

High-Level Milestones Template:

3. Overall Project Status

The status of your overall project means basically its current performance level, either on track or at risk, etc. You can use a strop light system to make the progress report design of this slide more attractive and comprehensible:

Green = On track; Yellow = Potential risks; Red = Severe issues.

Needless to say, it is not bad to have yellows and reds, but it tells everyone what areas to improve for the best result, not an average one. It is indeed more suspicious than successful to run a project that’s always in green status. It might mean that people are not really aware of what’s going on.

4. Project Deliverables

The next PowerPoint or Google slides to add to your progress report presentation is project deliverables or major milestone status. In layman’s words, it is the heartbeat of your progress report. To depict it attractively, you can use the same strop light system to underline different statuses.

Project Deliverables Template:

We give very specific deliverables in the template above, and you should definitely alter them as per your report (every time you present). Most important is to define your deliverables because people come with assumptions you have to negate.

Again, do not be afraid to give red or yellow status: it just means you understand your project’s ins and outs, ups and downs, strengths and flaws. If the status is yellow, mention that the team is monitoring the issue to devise an alternative solution. If the status is red, make sure to say the team is already fixing the issue.

5. Issues and Risks

This is the slide or slides where you have to outline high-level external elements impacting the project. You should share everything influencing the initial scope, time, or budget with your stakeholders before all statuses turn RED. It means you will highlight any issues not connected to a deliverable. The purpose is to show your due diligence and deep awareness of project flow and constraints.

Risk Report Template:

Project Timeline is being negatively impacted. As a project, we struggle with our IT core team members to complete tasks. A new project was launched in the operations department, and some of our team members are being pulled away from their tasks by managers outside this project. As the PM, I will be speaking to their direct managers to bring up this issue for resolution.

Progress report is a powerful update highly recommended for any type of project. It helps to make correct and timely decisions, detect risks, take appropriate actions, and file for future reference. Your stakeholders are more involved in the project if they get a monthly report with work completed, work scheduled, and current/potential problems/projections. Besides, it keeps every team member on track because they know they must come up with some result by the end of the month.

Now you know how to write a progress report with a simple design. However, if you want slides that stand out or a sophisticated template for all your next reports, make sure to contact our specialists and get professional assistance.

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• Presenting techniques
• 50 tips on how to improve PowerPoint presentations in 2022-2023 [Updated]
• Keynote VS PowerPoint
• Types of presentations
• Present financial information visually in PowerPoint to drive results

• Design Tips

Annual report design templates and tips: how to tell a great story with financial data in 2023

How to create weekly status report template

Quarterly business review: how to write and how to present it via presentation tools

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How to Write a Solid Progress Report for Project Success

Progress reports are like project status updates that help everyone involved understand how things are going. Writing a solid progress report is crucial for keeping your project on track and ensuring its success. In this guide, we’ll break down the process of creating a great progress report, making it easy for you to communicate your project’s progress effectively. We have also included progress report templates for you to get started right away.

Progress Report Template

• Ready to use
• Fully customizable template
• Get Started in seconds

What is a Progress Report

A progress report is a document that provides an overview of the status, advancements, and achievements of a project or task. It typically outlines what has been accomplished, what is currently in progress, and any challenges or obstacles encountered. Progress reports are commonly used in various settings, such as work, education, or personal projects, to keep stakeholders informed about the project’s developments and to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the current state of affairs.

Progress Report Templates to Keep Track of Project Progress

Daily Progress Report Template

Project Status Report Template

Project Status Summary

Project Dashboard Template

Project Status Summary Template

Why You Need to Use a Progress Report

A progress report promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement in project management. Here are several reasons why a progress report is important.

Clear communication: Keeps everyone on the same page by sharing what’s happening in a project.

Tracking achievements: Highlights what has been successfully completed, boosting team morale.

Problem-solving: Identifies and addresses challenges, helping to find solutions and stay on track.

Decision-making: Provides real-time information for informed decision-making during the project.

Accountability: Holds team members responsible for their tasks and deadlines.

Learning and improvement: Creates a record of progress, facilitating learning for future projects.

Efficiency: Keeps the team working efficiently by preventing confusion and misunderstandings.

Collaboration: Encourages collaboration and coordination among team members.

Key Components of a Progress Report

The following components of a progress report collectively provide a comprehensive view of the project’s progress, challenges, and future plans, enabling effective communication and decision-making.

• Introduction : Brief overview of the project, including its purpose and objectives.
• Work completed : Summary of tasks or milestones achieved since the last report.
• Work in progress : Description of current activities, tasks underway, and their status.
• Challenges and issues : Identification and discussion of any problems, roadblocks, or challenges faced.
• Achievements : Recognition and celebration of significant accomplishments and milestones.
• Upcoming tasks : Outline of the next steps, tasks, or milestones planned for the future.
• Timeline and schedule : Review or adjustment of the project timeline or schedule, if necessary.
• Budget overview : Overview of the project’s financial status, including spendings and any budget changes.
• Recommendations : Suggestions for improvements or changes to improve project efficiency.
• Conclusion : A brief summary and conclusion, often including an overall project status assessment.

Challenges of Creating and Using a Progress Report

While project reports are handy for keeping track of project progress, they can pose some challenges.

Time-consuming: Writing a progress report can take time away from actual project work.

Communication issues: Making sure that everyone understands the report may be challenging.

Data accuracy: Getting accurate information for the report can sometimes be difficult.

Overlooking details: Important details may be unintentionally left out.

Balancing detail and brevity: Finding the right level of detail without making the report too lengthy can be tricky.

Tracking complex projects: Managing and reporting progress for complex projects may pose a challenge.

Ensuring regular updates: Getting everyone to consistently update progress can be a hurdle, especially in dynamic work environments.

Best Practices for Creating an Effective Progress Report

Creating an effective progress report involves following some best practices:

• Keep your report clear and straightforward, avoiding jargon or overly complex language.
• Highlight the most important information, emphasizing achievements and addressing challenges.
• Use a consistent format and structure for easy comprehension.
• Submit reports on time to make sure that the information is relevant and up-to-date.
• Provide enough detail to convey the message, but avoid unnecessary information that may overwhelm.
• Use charts or diagrams to visually represent data and trends for better understanding.
• Include potential solutions when discussing challenges, promoting a proactive approach.

Create Your Next Progress Report with Creately

Simplify the process of creating progress reports and streamline project management, communication, and improve overall project success with Creately ’s visual collaboration platform.

Task tracking and assignment

Use the built-in project management tools to create, assign, and track tasks right on the canvas. Assign responsibilities, set due dates, and monitor progress with Agile Kanban boards, Gantt charts, timelines and more. Create task cards containing detailed information, descriptions, due dates, and assigned responsibilities.

Notes and attachments

Record additional details and attach documents, files, and screenshots related to your tasks and projects with per item integrated notes panel and custom data fields. Or easily embed files and attachments right on the workspace to centralize project information. Work together on project documentation with teammates with full multiplayer text and visual collaboration.

Real-time collaboration

Get any number of participants on the same workspace and track their additions to the progress report in real-time. Collaborate with others in the project seamlessly with true multi-user collaboration features including synced previews and comments and discussion threads. Use Creately’s Microsoft Teams integration to brainstorm, plan, run projects during meetings.

Pre-made templates

Get a head start with ready-to-use progress report templates and other project documentation templates available right inside the app. Explore 1000s more templates and examples for various scenarios in the community.

Comprehensive shape libraries

Create any visual aid from flowcharts to timelines with comprehensive shape libraries for over 70 types of diagrams including icons. Illustrate or make annotations easily with freehand drawing and format text without leaving the keyboard with markdown shortcuts.

Progress reports are indispensable in project management. They foster communication, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement. Make use of the progress report templates we have provided to track your progress and stay organized.

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

More Related Articles

Amanda Athuraliya is the communication specialist/content writer at Creately, online diagramming and collaboration tool. She is an avid reader, a budding writer and a passionate researcher who loves to write about all kinds of topics.

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Blog Business

How to Write a Professional Progress Report 

By Daleska Pedriquez , Jun 28, 2022

The first time I had to do a professional progress report, I panicked. I always thought I was an organized, big-picture person. I thought I had each step of the project, each stakeholder’s task mapped in my mind. But I found myself at a loss… 

I didn’t know where to begin my report or what to include. So I did some research and asked my co-workers for advice. 

I’m glad I did because they shared some useful tips on  how to use visual communication  in a progress report. They also pointed me towards a ton of templates to use as a starting point.

Now, I’ve filled out countless progress reports and learned some valuable lessons along the way. So, gather around everyone! I’ll show you the magic of using progress reports for your business, including how to incorporate data visualization.

(Most importantly, you’ll find a generous list of templates you can use with our  report maker  to get the job done!)

Click to jump ahead:

What is a progress report, why are work progress reports important, how do you write a progress report, 3 tips to write great reports, faqs about writing a professional progress report.

Let’s start with the basics. A progress report includes a detailed description of the current status of a project, as well as forecasts for the future. You can use this type of report to share insights on project status and performance. You may also project results and timelines based on the milestones your team has achieved and the challenges you’ve faced so far.

These reports often contain a summary of communications between a team member and a project manager. This helps stakeholders get a snapshot of how a project is progressing. 

Keep in mind: a progress report may be for your team alone, your company as a whole or your board of executives. Depending on the audience, you may want to include more or less granular information.

Return to Table of Contents

This may seem obvious, but reporting on progress is key for keeping your team on track. Consistent  project updates  will ensure everyone is working on the right tasks, at the right time. These reports also provide an opportunity for reflection…

What’s going well? What isn’t? Do the project objectives still make sense? Do they need adjusting? By taking the time to reflect  before  a project is finished, you’ll be able to catch any problems, adjust and increase your chances of success. 

Sounds good? But wait, there’s more… 

Here’s a closer look at the benefits of creating a professional progress report: 

Improves team collaboration 

As I mentioned, progress reports are all about keeping teams on the same page. Generally, everyone on your team would receive a copy of the report. That way, everyone can see what’s done and what remains to be done. 

This is also a good way to keep your team motivated during long projects. By reporting on everything that’s been accomplished, they can see just how far they’ve come.

In the initial phases of a project, your progress report may be as simple as a timeline. This type of report works well during the planning stages, too. For example, check out this weekly reporting template: 

You can customize this template however you need. Style the text, swap out the colors, add in your logo and voilà… you have a professionally branded report.

Guides decision-making throughout a project

Again, if you wait until the end of a project to reflect, you may miss opportunities to course-correct along the way. No  project plan  is perfect. There will always be unforeseen circumstances. A task that requires more time. A team member that drops out of the race… 

A progress report can help you deal with these hiccups. By proactively checking in on a project, you can make decisions about the best use of resources. Or even, whether you need to switch lanes entirely! 

Creates a detailed audit trail for all projects

While a progress report  isn’t  an audit, it does provide a record of all the work undertaken during a project. In other words, it’s useful if you or your company need to create an audit trail using project execution records.

Of course, progress reports are also useful if you’re answering to execs, giving updates to your fellow execs or simply referring back to the next time around. 

Take this quarterly project status report as an example. Using this template, you can share a high-level overview of a project with a simple progress bar featuring a clear percentage, or swap in any chart to depict progress. With Venngage’s editor, you just have to double-click on the chart and input the appropriate value.

Promotes transparency and accountability

Transparency and accountability are buzzwords in business, but with good reason. Without transparency, there’s no accountability. And without accountability, well, your project is going to be a slog. 

Progress reports are a great way to maintain transparency and accountability throughout a project. Not only can you see exactly who’s done (and doing) what, but you can also highlight the allocation of funding and resources, as well as results. 

Now that we’ve talked about the perks of using a progress report to  visualize your company’s projects , let’s dig into the good stuff. Here’s how to write a detailed progress report: 

Determine your report’s objectives

Of course, your report will have different objectives depending on the format. If you’re putting together a weekly report, those objectives may be tasks accomplished. You may also include notes about roadblocks or problems solved. 

A monthly or quarterly report will likely look at larger milestones instead and give a broader overview of the progress made on a project. This type of regular project evaluation may also compare progress to previous months. 

Pro tip: while designing in Venngage, you can create a new color scheme, or use one of the many automated color palettes available. If you’re on a business plan, you’ll also have access to  My Brand Kit , which allows you to upload logos, choose fonts and set color palettes. Then, you can easily apply your visual branding to every design.

Collect all your data

Once you’ve established your objectives, you can gather the necessary data to report on them. 

For example, with a weekly report, you may need to check in with your team members to get a status update on their tasks. With a monthly report, you may be able to pull results, in addition to a broader status update. 

Whatever claims you include in your report, just make sure you can back them up with data. If you’re saying a project is 90% complete, that percentage should be calculated based on real numbers, not estimates. 

In general, you’ll share a broader progress update on the first page of your report. Then, the following pages will show the supporting data. 

Perform a detailed data analysis

Now for the fun part. (Yup, I’m a data nerd.) 

Analyzing your data is the logical next step. I like to start by organizing my data into buckets. For example, I might have a bucket for tasks accomplished, outstanding tasks, blockers, budget and key learnings to date. 

Often, I’ll include a bucket for outstanding questions. And I analyze all of the above to identify patterns and make informed predictions.

Once you have all this information, make a note of which pieces of data can be visualized. Graphs, charts and other visuals help simplify complex data and reduce the amount of text you’ll need in your report. (More on visualizing your data in just a sec!) 

Pro tip: when creating a report in Venngage on a  Business Plan , you can collaborate in real-time with your team members and invite them to work on a design. You can also leave comments and get feedback, right on the platform. Alternatively, you can share your design online, via email or download a high-resolution PNG, PDF or interactive PDF. 

Outline and edit your report

Ah, the outline. I create an outline for everything I write, whether it’s a blog, business plan, or yes, a progress report. In my experience, it’s the best way to avoid writer’s block. With a detailed outline, you’ll never get stuck staring at a blank screen again. 

At this point, you know your objectives. You’ve collected and analyzed all your data. All that’s left is to  turn it into a story . 

I like to start with objectives and work my way backward. In my outline, I’ll cover objectives on the first page. Each one gets its own heading with supporting data underneath. I’ll also include a high-level description of my project on the first page. 

I like to organize the following sections by objective, too. This creates a natural hierarchy while keeping goals and objectives top of mind. 

Nail down the length of your report

Keep in mind that you don’t want your report to be the length of a bible! No one has the time or attention span for that. Here’s a quick rule of thumb: a progress report should be around two to three pages.

This should give you enough space to state your objectives, present supporting data, showcase progress and make any predictions. If your outline is more than three pages, have another look and see what you can trim. As all good writers know, sometimes you have to  kill your darlings . 

Design your report using visuals 

A picture is worth a thousand words — there’s a reason we’ve all heard this saying a thousand times! 

Engaging visuals  are the perfect way to turn dry data into meaningful, digestible statements. But you don’t have to create these visuals from scratch or hire a designer for that matter. By starting with one of  Venngage’s templates , you can simply customize the visuals to suit your needs.

For example, this project management status report template includes several images, charts and icons. You can swap out the images with your own or browse over three million high-quality, royalty-free photos to find something suitable. 

You can also change the icons to reflect your data. With Venngage, you get access to over 40,000 icons with thousands of diverse options to reflect a range of skin tones and cultural backgrounds. Plus, you can change the  charts to best represent your data . 

By using visuals in your design, you’ll break up walls of text and make your report both aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand. In the end, this will help you improve communication and impress any stakeholders involved. 

With Venngage’s  report maker , the design process is quick and easy. And best of all, you can do it all yourself — exactly the way you envisioned.

Related : 5 Best Report Creators for Businesses in 2022

Get feedback from your team 

Before sharing your final report, consider getting feedback from your team. 

They may have additional insights to share on a project’s progress. They can also help spot faulty data and prevent any embarrassing retractions down the line. This is also just good for morale. The more involved your team feels in a project, the more invested they’ll be. 

Finalize your report

Last step: proofreading.

Make sure to double-check everything, from spelling and grammar to project details and data visualizations. This step ties in with my point above. Getting a second pair of eyes to proofread your report is always a good idea. 

When you’ve been staring at something for weeks, it can be hard to catch mistakes. Your team members can look at your report with fresh eyes and share fresh insights.

In the data-heavy example above, a misplaced comma or rogue denominator could make all the difference. So don’t skip that final once over! At the end of the day, the goal is to create a report that’s as accurate as possible.

I’ve talked a lot about how to use visuals to create an engaging, full-featured progress report. But what about words, you ask? 

Keep these three quick tips in mind to breeze through the writing part, too: 

• Stay focused

And I mean hyper-focused. 

Remember the first step in this guide: determine your report’s objectives. By staying focused on your objectives, you’ll avoid unnecessary tangents. Plus, you’ll have a lot less editing to do when it comes time to kill your darlings! 

If a point doesn’t tie back to your objectives, skip it. This will give your entire report a sense of direction. It will also help your team members digest and retain the information.

• Discuss your objectives in a balanced manner

If you have multiple objectives, make sure you give each one its due. 

It’s true, one objective may be more important than the other. For example, you might dedicate more real estate to outlining project tasks than predicting future progress. Just make sure to weigh positive and negative data fairly. 

You don’t want a rose-colored report, so to speak. This will set unrealistic expectations and be more harmful than helpful down the line. Instead, use all the available data to share a balanced perspective in your progress report. 

• Use a consistent reporting style

Reports are no place for flowery language. 

To make your report as effective as possible, use straightforward, simple language. Make sure to define any acronyms or technical terms at the beginning of your report. And remember the three Cs while you’re writing: be clear, concise and compelling.

What are the three types of progress reports?

There are three types of reports based on the time span they cover:

• Weekly: These reports typically cover a team member’s individual progress and how it affects the entire project.
• Monthly: These progress reports typically provide a broader overview of a project, including team member progress, methods and projections. Monthly reports are usually data-dependent and require more visuals than weekly reports.
• Quarterly: These detailed reports cover a three-month period. Quarterly reports include a lot more data and will require more visuals to make them digestible and engaging as a result. 

What are the qualities of a good progress report?

The qualities of a good progress report are: 

• Comprehensiveness: Provide a total overview of a project using clear objectives, simple language and a balanced ratio of text and images in your layout.
• Data-backed: Make sure your report includes accurate data that you’ve double-checked for any discrepancies.
• Rich in visuals: Leverage engaging visuals to break up the text in your report and turn your data into a compelling, easily digestible story.

Write a detailed professional progress report and achieve your goals

I know from personal experience that writing a progress report can be daunting at first. 

But with these tips and templates, I’m confident you can do it. So go ahead, give it a try.  Create a beautiful, raise-winning report  with Venngage for free. Just remember to clearly define your objectives first… and don’t skimp on visuals!

How to Write a Progress Report (+ Best Practices)

Master the art of progress reports with our guide. Discover what progress reporting is, how to write one, and how Motion simplifies the process.

Running a business can be like spinning plates: something always needs your attention.

Have you ever felt lost in tasks, meetings, and deadlines? You’re not alone.Many wish for a clearer way to see how things are going and share that with our team.

This guide is your answer.

We'll tell you about the in's and out's of progress reporting, give you progress report templates (ideas) and give you some tips on making the most out of progress reporting.

What is a progress report?

A progress report is like a photo album for your business tasks. It shows what's been done and what's left to do from a project plan or action plan.

Imagine you launched a new product last month. In your monthly report, you'd note how many were sold, any feedback received, and plans for the next month. These can be daily progress reports or weekly progress reports for fast-moving projects or quarterly progress reports to review bigger goals.

While it's great to celebrate wins, progress reports must also highlight areas that need attention — think setbacks or roadblocks that cause project teams to fall short of targets.

The bottom line is that progress reports give a clear picture of where you are, helping you make better decisions for the future.

Why are progress reports necessary?

Imagine setting out on a journey without a map or compass. Without direction, it's easy to wander aimlessly.

In the business landscape, progress reports serve as your map and compass, guiding the way and showing how far you've traveled.

Here’s how they help:

• Enhancing communication:  A vital lifeline in any business is clear communication. Through progress reports, teams can connect, ensuring everyone is aligned. Consider a marketing team launching a new campaign. Without regular updates, the sales team might miss opportunities to leverage campaign material.
• Clarity:  By documenting what's been accomplished and what’s ahead, there's less guesswork involved. For instance, if a supplier knows a project is ahead of schedule, they can prioritize deliveries accordingly.
• Proactive management:  Highlighting bottlenecks isn’t just about pointing out flaws. It’s about finding solutions. By understanding where roadblocks exist, resources can be channeled to tackle them effectively.
• Setting expectations   and ensuring accountability:  When everyone knows the goals and their role in achieving them, there’s a shared sense of purpose. It's like being part of a relay race where each member knows when and how to pass the baton.
• Building trust and transparency : When team members, stakeholders, customers and investors have visibility on  project progress , confidence grows.

Progress reports aren’t just documents — they’re tools that knit teams together, strengthen strategic goals, and pave the way for business growth and success.

Key components of a progress report

Every part of your progress report has a specific job. Each section offers a different insight, so no details get lost, and the big picture is kept in your sights.

Here are the key components explained simply:

Executive summary

The  executive summary  provides a snapshot of the entire report. In 1 - 2 paragraphs (at most, a page), briefly explain the main takeaways.

For example:  "In September, we surpassed our sales target by 12% but faced unexpected shipping delays."

Goals and objectives

Your  goals and objectives  set the direction of your report by stating what you aim to achieve.

For example:  "Our objective was to increase website visitors by 10% this quarter."

Accomplishments

Accomplishments  are where you celebrate what was achieved during the reporting period — these are your “wins.”

For example:  "Successfully launched two new products, resulting in a 15% revenue boost."

Challenges and obstacles

Your  challenges and obstacle s detail the roadblocks you faced and the steps taken to overcome them.

For example:  "Encountered supply chain disruptions due to weather, leading to a week's delay in product delivery."

‎Next steps and action items

The  next steps and action items  outline the roadmap for upcoming tasks or strategies.

For example:  "Plan to initiate a marketing campaign in the Northeast region by next month."

Metrics and data

Metrics and data  offer concrete numbers to back up statements, grounding your report in facts.

For example:  "Website traffic increased by 8%, with a notable 20% growth in returning visitors."

Recommendations

And finally,  recommendations  where you propose future actions based on the insights from the report.

For example:  "Considering the rising demand for eco-friendly products, suggest allocating more budget to our 'Green Line' next quarter."

Understanding a progress report’s components helps you give it depth and value. It’s what transforms it from a simple recap to a structured and insightful reflection which can help shape future strategies and tactics.

How to write a progress report

Writing a progress report is like telling a story of your work. Let's break it down step-by-step to keep it simple and clear.

Step 1: Understand and tailor to your audience

Think about who’ll read your report. Different readers have different needs. A CEO might want the big picture, while a team leader wants detailed  project status  notes.

For example, if you’re an engineer writing a report for non-technical stakeholders, you’ll want to avoid the “rocket science speak” as they may not understand.

And if technical topics are unavoidable, use metaphors and analogies so they grasp the essentials without feeling lost.

Step 2: Begin with a clear executive summary

The executive summary is your report’s highlight reel. In just one or two paragraphs (depending on the report, a page), it offers a snapshot of the main events, achievements, and challenges.

People may only read part of your progress report. At the very least, they’ll read the executive summary, so you’ll need to deliver highly relevant information quickly.

Start by outlining the primary objectives and how well they’ve been achieved. Following that, highlight  key milestones  but also acknowledge major hurdles. And finally, end with your most critical recommendations.

Step 3: Adopt a consistent and clear format

Choose a layout and be consistent. If you start with what happened in January, February should come next. Use headings, bullet points, and tables so they’re easy to read (and highlight the important details so they stand out).

‎Step 4: Include visuals to enhance understanding

Graphs and charts can impart information faster than words. Make sure they're clear and related to what you're saying. For example, a chart showing how sales changed every month can be more effective than just writing about it.

Step 5: Stay objective and fact-focused

Avoid “option statements”. Instead, ground your report in measurable outcomes. Rather than saying something like "sales were good," add specificity with a statement, "sales increased by 20%." This adds credibility and gives your readers a more precise evaluation of progress.

Step 6: Review, refine, and edit

No report is perfect on the first draft — review for clarity and precision.

Ask a colleague to read your report so they can point out confusing or boring parts. Make sure your data is current, and double-check the facts. Remember, an error, no matter how small, can undermine the entire report’s credibility.

The do’s and don’ts of progress reports: best practices

Progress reports walk the fine line between simplicity and comprehensiveness. Knowing what to include and what to skip can sometimes be tricky. Below is a curated guide to ensure you hit the right notes every time.

Do's of progress reports

Be honest and transparent about challenges:

• Don’t hide the truth. If there was a setback, share it. It’s how teams learn and grow. For example, if a marketing campaign didn't achieve its targets, state it directly, then offer the next steps to improve.

Clear language:

• Use straightforward words and avoid complex phrases. Instead of writing, "The project encountered insurmountable challenges," simply state, "The project faced tough challenges."

Stick to facts:

• Use numbers and evidence. If sales increased by 10%, say exactly that. Precise data is more impactful than vague claims.

Regular updates:

• Keep a consistent schedule, whether it's weekly reports or monthly reports. Regular updates keep everyone in the loop. Imagine a teammate working on a project, not hearing any updates, and suddenly being told there are drastic changes.

Audience-focused:

• Your report should cater to the reader's needs. For instance, while a tech team might appreciate detailed technical data, others might prefer a summary of results.

Don'ts of progress reports:

Avoid jargon:

• Technical or industry-specific terms can confuse some readers. If explaining a new software update, don’t sign off the coding specifics. Instead, focus on its benefits and changes.

Skipping details:

• While brevity is good, leaving out vital information isn't. If a project is delayed due to a vendor issue, it’s essential to mention it so everyone understands the hold-up.

Over-optimism without data:

• Being positive is good, but not without evidence. Don’t claim a project is "highly successful" unless you have data to show it.

Lengthy reports:

• Be concise. A report that drags on may lose the reader's attention and cause them to miss important details. Aim for clarity and brevity.

Submit without proofreading:

• Mistakes reduce credibility. Before delivering your report, double-check for errors. A report with errors can make readers question its accuracy.

Effective progress reports combine honesty with clarity. They present data transparently, cater to their audience, and are free from fluff or errors. Adopt these best practices, and your progress reports will always be on point.

Making progress reporting effortless with Motion

Managing tasks and keeping up with progress reports can be challenging. Motion offers tools and features that simplify these processes so you can focus on writing reports and other  high-value tasks  instead of relentlessly  organizing your calendar.

Here’s how motion can help:

Seamless task management for accurate updates

Staying on top of tasks is a top priority for any business, and accurate reporting helps you do that.

Motion's AI-assisted algorithm provides a streamlined system that effortlessly aligns your tasks with your reporting needs.

• ‎ Simplified prioritization:  With Motion, business owners can effortlessly determine which tasks need immediate attention, helping report what’s been accomplished and what’s next.
• Adaptive scheduling:  If unforeseen changes occur, Motion readjusts your tasks so your progress report always reflects the current state of affairs without manual fiddling.
• Unified task view:  See all your tasks at a glance, big or small, so nothing is missed in your report.

Meetings that drive progress

Effective meetings can be the backbone of productive teams, and their outcomes can greatly influence progress reports. Here’s how Motion’s AI-assisted scheduling features help change how you plan (and run) your meetings.

• Optimized meeting schedules:  Motion  schedules your meetings  at the most productive times, ensuring every team huddle results in actionable takeaways, enriching the content of progress reports.
• Clear action points:  Post-meeting, Motion can help list  clear action items  that feed directly into what needs to be reported and acted upon next.

Team transparency for cohesive reports

A team moving in harmony can produce comprehensive reports that reflect both individual achievements and collective progress. Motion gives a bird's-eye view of team activities, making report compilation seamless and easy.

• Real-time team overviews:  Get a quick snapshot of what each member is working on. This helps you create detailed progress reports that reflect both individual and collective achievements.
• Proactive alerts:  Motion's notifications alert you well in advance of potential roadblocks or missed deadlines. This makes progress reports reflective and anticipatory tools (handy for recommendations in progress reports).
• Streamlined workflow:  By reducing the manual effort in  task management , Motion gives you more time to focus on analyzing progress and strategizing rather than just documenting it.

Harness the power of Motion

Navigating progress reports becomes a breeze with Motion by your side. It's the bridge between tradition and innovation for businesses.

Ready to experience the difference?

Dive into a free trial of Motion  and watch as it transforms your reporting process (and productivity).

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Put motion to the test., tech and media companies are talking about motion.

How to Write a Progress Report (Sample Template)

• PPP - Plans, Progress, Problems

With over 10 years of experience, Weekdone has provided tens of thousands of teams from startups to Fortune 500 with a simple goal-setting, status updates and progress reporting tool . This is why we developed  Weekdone .

Weekdone is your solution for connecting managers and employees through real-time updates, e-mail reports and social newsfeed.   Tr y it here ! It’s free forever for small teams and offers a free trial for larger ones! Read about the benefits here .

Falling efficiency, lack of focus, no drive. Said the team leader who doesn’t have good reporting software

The perceived negative qualities listed above come and go in companies over time. But shouldn’t we try to avoid them? Or, at the very least, take control in situations where we have the ability to do so? I think so!

Just like our bodies need to fight spring fever with the right mix of nutrients, we should give our organizations proper treatment when productivity falls below a critical level.

We’re not so arrogant, calling our service a ‘company doctor’ – but there is a simple cure out there for those of you looking to save your organization from this lack of efficiency. The cure is of course, the reason you’re here – progress reports!

Imagine if you were able to automate the process of transferring weekly status updates into a combined report at each week’s end. Sounds awesome, right? Weekdone helps you do that and so much more. It’s a status reporting tool for teams and a software that automates some of your most time-consuming management tasks.

The information in these reports help managers track team and individual’s progress while observing both company and team goals.

However, not many are familiar with the benefits of progress reporting.

So, let’s fix that too!

Progress reports used by teams encourage engagement and transparency. It’s been said that having a specific place to check in your progress increases the probability of meeting a goal by 95%.

For managers, progress reports offer concrete information about your employees’ contributions. It encourages the exchange of ideas and opinions. Truthfully, it is a very simple form of two-way communication. With some guidelines and basic understanding of the format, everyone can file an excellent report on their own.

Progress Report – The Basics

The foundation of every good progress report is a “PPP methodology”, something the  Weekdone is built on. This stands for Progress, Plans and Problems. It may seem overly simplistic, but there is a deep framework hidden underneath.

PPP is “rich in stuff, low in fluff”. Cleve Gibbon

Gibbon’s thought is shared by the likes of Emi Gal (CEO of Brainient) and Colin Nederkoorn (CEO of Customer.io), both of whom use PPP to organize and streamline their respective enterprises.

Even companies like Skype, Ebay, and Facebook picked up on the benefits of PPP.

So, what does PPP mean exactly?

• Progress. Progress lists employee’s accomplishments, finished items, and closed tasks. This category gives a good assessment of how much work has been done.
• Plans are the tasks you plan to accomplish over the course of one week. At Weekdone, we recommend setting these 3-7 plans on the Friday prior to “their work week”. All of the items listed under Plans are potential items of Progress. However, leave room for changes and accept that your Plans are not set in stone. Also consider, that these should ultimately help drive your Quarterly team goals forward.
• Problems. Problems lay out challenges and pitfalls. Some people leave correcting mistakes for last, but it is highly recommended to do this throughout the project.

When you keep in mind these three things, you already have what it takes to write a simple report. Should you choose to try Weekdone for free , these 3 categories are the ones in the default weekly status update form. *Which you can change and customize the titles of, if something else resonates more to you 🙂

Who, How and What of Progress Reports

Furthermore, if you really want to succeed in communicating the details and nuances of progress reports, you should always have these three questions in the back of your mind: who, how, and what?

The key part of progress reports is your team. Michele Puccio, Sales Director of Arrow,  says that they helped him “stay connected with the team”. This is why your immediate focus should be on your colleagues and team dynamics.

Reports need to be concise and focused, so you should understand what your colleagues want. To help yourself with this task, ask a few questions:

• How are the readers connected to the project?
• Do they know the details and goals of the project?
• Are the readers comfortable with technical language?

Next, consider the tone of writing. Managers and executives may not understand the intricacies of employees’ conversational style. Use longer, comprehensible sentences but also try to refrain from writing essays. Ideally, there should be 5-7 keywords per sentence.

Take a look at a sample report for further guidelines and inspiration. Remember that the modern world is metrics-driven, so figures are more important than descriptions.

Instead of: “ we need to increase the output ” Try: “ we need to increase the output by X% ”.

Concrete goals are more inspirational and, at the same time, more attainable.

The one mistake people tend to make when writing a progress report is avoiding writing about mistakes altogether. The purpose of progress reports is to objectively identify key difficulties and concerns and help them along the way. Even if the problem was already addressed, it needs to be put into writing to help avoid making the same kind of mistake in the future.

Secondly, keep in mind the relevance of your writing. Explain how every individual item connects and compares to Progress.

Keep It Simple

Even when progress seems small and changes are minimal, keep updating your reports. It enables transparency on all levels and can help assess challenges so you can plan your next actions accordingly.

Going back to our interview with IT distribution company, Arrow , Michele Puccio shares this example of how progress report influence your performance:

“In the beginning of the week, you decide to call 5 new customers. You write it down and have it under your nose. By the end of the week, you will call 5 new customers. You have made the commitment, communicated it to the rest of the team, and now need to honor this.” Michele Puccio

Progress report templates are made to save time for everyone, so it is illogical to spend most of your workday on writing them. This can be easily aided by reporting tools. Many teams use Google docs or emails to do this.

That being said, it is better to use tools that are specifically developed with progress reports in mind and allow you to automate the process of writing them. Availability and accessibility are key for an excellent progress report .

The key to progress reports is regularity. Progress reports need to be done at least on a monthly basis, though weekly is encouraged. With a notification system integrated in Weekdone, you ensure that everybody remembers to send their reports in time.

Try Team Compass for automated weekly progress reports.

Implementing Progress Reports

1. make sure to explain benefits to employees.

This one seems a bit obvious, but going ahead without explaining employee benefits risks employee buy-in later. You need to explain the ‘whys’ to everyone. Some easy benefits to sell include: employees having a voice within the organization, and raised productivity and focus on new plans. To find out more about selling the benefits to your team, we recommend drawing from this infographic .

2. Make sure that communication goes both ways

Create a culture that allows discussions to be held from both sides and allow team members to provide feedback to their superiors as well as the other way around. Making a culture that encourages feedback as the default model improves overall company communication and makes progress reports more meaningful to employees and managers alike.

3. Spend less time in meetings by using progress reports as a substitute

Use progress reports (and other tools like our Weekdone ) to decrease the amount of time wasted at meetings by encouraging frequent updating through the web and mobile-based services. If your status meetings stay in one place, you’ll save countless hours every month by writing instead of speaking.

4. Sign up with an online tool that offers you ready-made solutions

It may sound a little promotional, but online tools can make the implementation process so much easier. Progress reporting can be done via e-mail, word document or spreadsheet, but the challenges are far greater and you risk not having all of your information in one, easily accessible place. Combing through Google docs and emails is a colossal waste of time,  after all.  One of the advantages online tools have is that they automatically remind your team to fill their form, compile the received information, and then present it to you in a way that’s both appealing and fun.

Implementing progress reports with a tool

1. make the progress report meet your needs.

Using a ready-made template does not mean that you have to adjust to its specifications. Actually, these tools are flexible enough to meet your standards and needs. What is more, they provide you with even better ideas that might have been missed otherwise.

2. Write down Objectives and Key Results

Before inviting your whole team, make sure you have set up Objectives. The goals that need to be reached in a certain period and key results that help the team achieve these. Try this management technique used by LinkedIn, Twitter and Google. For a more in depth understanding of OKRs, feel free to check the Weekdone step-by-step guide to OKRs .

3. Invite your team

After you have set up all crucial information, it is time to invite your team. Send them an automatic e-mail to sign up.

4. Contacting product support to give a quick demo for everyone

Explaining this new tool to everyone on the team might be a challenge. Especially when you are not too familiar with it. No worries, that is exactly why product support people are here for. Remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question. There are only dumb answers. Don’t be afraid to contact the support for additional materials, demo or whatever is on your mind.

Sign up for free Weekdone team management software trial to implement best practice based progress reporting in your team. Set structured goals to align activities throughout your organization via leading OKR software . Track weekly plans and progress. Provide feedback and move everyone in a unified direction. Try it now !

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How to Write a Progress Report

Last Updated: May 11, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ksenia Derouin . Ksenia Derouin is a Business Strategy Specialist, OBM, and Artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With over ten years of professional experience, Ksenia works with wellness and social impact sector solopreneurs and organizations to support their business strategy, operations, marketing, and program development. Her mission is to support business owners in building thriving businesses and creating impact so that they can achieve a sense of purpose, career fulfillment, and financial independence. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 438,996 times.

Progress reports are an important part of project management, whether it's your dissertation or a project at work. You'll need to use these to keep your supervisors, your colleagues, or your clients updated about the project you're working on. You'll be focusing on what you've accomplished and what still needs to be done.

Beginning the Process

• Progress report for a research program or project is going to be slightly different than for a project at work. In this case you are more likely to need to cite information and are less likely to need to consider things like cost (although not always).
• A work report for a client is going to read somewhat differently than for a superior at work. You'll need to consider why you're writing this report for them.

• How are your readers connected to the project? How will the outcome of the project affect them? (The connection and how they're affected is going to be different for your superior than for the client, for example.)
• Consider what decision your readers are going to need to make after reading the progress report (what support, money, time are they investing, for example.
• Consider the information your reader is going to need to know to oversee and participate in the project effectively. What technical aspects of the project will they need to know. Are they comfortable with technical jargon?

• A progress report could be a brief oral report at weekly or monthly staff meetings.
• It could be periodic emails to colleagues.
• It could be formal or informal memos to supervisors.
• It can also be formal reports for clients or government agencies.

• When it comes to information for a client or government agency, or thesis review board, you err on the side of formality.
• No matter the formality or informality of your tone you want it to be clear, focused, and honest.

Writing Your Report

• You might choose to do a bulleted list. It's a very clear way to present the material and it's easy to skim and still get the needed information. However, it can be a slightly less formal way of writing a progress report so it might be better to use it for memos to supervisors and emails to colleagues.
• You may also consider adding in graphs or tables. This might be especially good if you're writing a progress report for a project in which you're trying to get funding, or show why you deserve the funding you've been given.

• Adding subheadings to your can make this even clearer, because it lets your readers or audience know what to expect in each subsection. If there is material that they are particularly interested in they'll be able to jump right to that part.

• The heading should include the date, when the report was submitted, the name and the position of the recipient, the writer’s name and position, and the subject of the report.

• Make sure to include: the purpose of the report, introduce the project, remind that this is an update on the progress of the project.

• Specify tasks that have been accomplished since the last report and what tasks are ongoing.
• Discuss problems that you’ve encountered, issues that need to be addressed, and potential solutions for those problems and issues.
• Address changes that have happened and why they needed to be made.
• You can also include things like personnel changes, difficulty in obtaining material, what cost overruns you may have encountered, any delays or problems with technology or security.
• It also helps to provide a timeline of the project with any relevant due dates.

• You really do want to make sure say whether the deadline for the project has changed or not.
• Avoid sugarcoating any problems for your audience, but don’t alarm them unnecessarily or promise anything you can’t deliver.

Avoiding Common Difficulties

• For example: if your project is about reigniting a local, nonprofit arts organization, it might be tempting to go off into a discussion of the deplorable state of arts funding, but it won't really help detail how your project is coming along.

• Depending on who you're writing the report for you might be cut down to a specific page limit. A good rule of thumb is to keep it as short as possible, while making sure that you fit in the appropriate information.

Community Q&A

• Try to judge your supervisor's style. She may have a preference for the types of reports she likes to see. Some may want to see more lists or bulleted information; others will like to know as little as possible to get by. Still others may prefer as much information as possible, no matter how many pages it takes. Thanks Helpful 36 Not Helpful 10
• Be specific throughout the progress summary, but try not to be overly wordy. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 6

• In order not to be caught unprepared when it's time for a progress report, it's a good idea to record information as you go along so it's easy to put all the information together. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 6

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about improving your business, check out our in-depth interview with Ksenia Derouin .

• ↑ https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/chapter/progressreports/
• ↑ https://pressbooks.pub/coccoer/chapter/progress-reports/
• ↑ https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/feptechcomm/chapter/2-audience/
• ↑ https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/chapter/figurestables/
• ↑ https://www.e-education.psu.edu/styleforstudents/c6_p10.html

About This Article

To write a progress report, start by deciding how you want to present your info, like with a bulleted list or a graph. You can also add subsections to your report, which can help keep things clear and easy to follow. Then, write your heading across the top of the paper and include relevant details like the date and subject of the report. Below that, add an introduction using italics to give a brief overview of the report. Next, include details in the body, like specific tasks you worked on, and conclude it by addressing what’s next for your project. To learn why considering your audience can help you write a progress report, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Progress Report

• 6-minute read
• 28th September 2021

A progress report is a business document that provides updates on a project’s progress toward meeting a goal. Typically, you’ll provide a progress report for a supervisor/manager, team member, or business client to summarize a project’s status and what still needs to be completed or improved.

But how do you write an effective progress report for your business’s projects ? In our guide below, we set out the typical structure of a progress report.

1. Header Information

A progress report should start with a header that includes key details about the report and the project. Typically, this will include the:

• Reporting period and/or the date of submission.
• Name(s) and position(s) of the report’s recipient(s).
• Name(s) and position(s) of the report’s author(s).
• Subject or title of the report/project.

This will help the recipient to understand the contents of the report at a glance.

2. Introduction

The introductory paragraph of a progress report should outline the purpose and timeframe of the project, plus any other important details or insights. 

You can also include an overview of what the rest of your progress report will cover.

3. Work Completed

The next section of your report should be titled “Work Completed.” Here, you can provide a chronological list of the project tasks that you have already completed and their corresponding dates. You can also include key findings from those tasks.

4. Problems Encountered

The next section should outline any problems encountered in the project so far. You should then explain either how those problems were solved or how they will be solved, and whether any extra help will be required to do so. You will also need to mention if those problems prompted any changes to the project.

5. Future Plans

To highlight the goals for the remainder of the project, the next section of your report should outline any future project tasks with their corresponding dates or deadlines, anticipated problems, and/or ideas for the project as you move forward.

End your progress report with a brief summary of key completed tasks, ongoing tasks, and major issues encountered. You don’t need to go into too much detail here, though. Stick to the essential details.

5 Tips on How to Write a Progress Report

We also have some helpful tips you can use when writing a progress report:

• Adapt the structure – While the structure outlined above will work for most projects, you can adapt it to suit your requirements. For instance, for a complex project with multiple goals, you may need to break it down into sections, detailing the progress, problems, and plans for each objective.
• Choose an appropriate frequency – For ongoing progress reports, think about whether to schedule daily, weekly, or monthly updates.
• Write clearly – Make sure to write clearly and concisely . Keep your sentences simple, straightforward, and easy to understand.
• Know your audience – If you’re writing a report for someone outside of your organization or team, explain any industry-specific language you use.
• Keep it professional – Make sure to use a formal tone , avoiding colloquial terms and phrases, slang, contractions, and other informal language.

Finally, to be sure your report looks and sounds professional, have it proofread. You can try our proofreading services by uploading a trial document for free today!

Example Progress Report

To see what a progress report might look like, check out our example report below:

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Date: September 24, 2021 To: J. Seymour, Head of Planning From: A. Boleyn, Planning Assistant Subject: Migration to new planning software

Since November 2016, Exemplar Inc. has used the PlanULike package to manage the company’s everyday operations. However, when we expanded to new territories in July 2021, the limitations of the software became evident, especially with regard to currency conversions when budgeting for projects in Europe. As a result, in August 2021, the decision was made to migrate to new planning software. This report covers the progress in this project made up until September 24, 2021.

Work Completed

• August 30 – Research completed into available planning software packages. The PlanZone software is selected based on its flexible budgeting capabilities.
• September 6 – A timeline is developed for installation and implementation of the new software package, with an initial deadline of September 30.
• September 10 – Head of Human Resources, Jack Thacker, begins developing in-house instructional materials for the new software.
• September 18 – Software is acquired and installed. Provisional version of internal training program is developed and tested with key staff members.
• September 21 – IT department identifies software compatibility problems with older hardware in operations department. New equipment purchased.
• September 24 – New computer hardware installed. After testing, training program is extended to heads of department in planning and operations.

Problems Encountered

The key problem encountered thus far has been a compatibility issue between the new software and some of the company’s existing hardware. Head of IT, Simon Robinson, reports that this was due to PlanZone including graphical features that Exemplar Inc. does not use and had not been factored into the initial planning.

Due to speedy delivery and installation of new hardware, this has not significantly affected the timeframe for the migration. But the unexpected expense does mean that the project is now significantly over budget.

In addition, the testing of the in-house training program took longer than anticipated to complete. Key staff are now familiar with the new software, but the deadline for company-wide training has been extended to November 15, 2021.

Future Plans

The improved training program will continue until November 15, 2021, when all relevant staff are expected to be familiar with the new software, after which all operational planning will use PlanZone, and the PlanULike systems will be deprecated by November 30, 2021. Due to exceeding the budget allocated for this project, a meeting will be scheduled for heads of department to discuss how the extra expenses may impact budgeting for other projects.

The company has acquired and installed new planning software (PlanZone), which is projected to enhance project planning and ease operations in new territories. However, unexpected hardware and training issues have slowed progress. Deadlines for the migration have thus been extended. Meanwhile, implications of the extra expenses will be factored into budgeting for upcoming projects.

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September 25, 2023

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Presentation Template Series 4: Progress Report Template | Decktopus

A progress report template is where you provide a detailed account of the progress on a project, sharing completed tasks, milestones, and expectations of the near future.

What's Inside?

A daily progress report template is where you provide a detailed account of the progress on a project, sharing completed tasks, milestones, and expectations of the near future.

Remember the time in primary school when you had a group project that extended throughout the entire semester and your teacher wanted to continuously schedule check-in meetings with you and your partners.

Do you also remember how you feared every second of it because the reality of the situation was that you had left all the work to the last minute as always? So what to do?

Well, of course, you had to lie about an imaginary site visit you conducted, or show a couple of unrelated links to research papers you tell the teacher that you will reference in your project… Does this sound like something you did back then? I sure did. Well, progress reports should be your go-to documents from now on...

Parent Monitor Short Term Student Progress Report Template

You probably already know that this just doesn’t fly in the real world. In business life, many people will want to check in on your progress. If you don’t believe me, refer to these examples:

• An investor wants to hear on how the startup that they invested in is doing
• A supervisor wants to learn the latest updates on how the employee’s project is going
• A professor is looking to hear the latest findings from your faculty research
• A political representative is sharing the progress they have achieved in their term

So what exactly is a progress report? A progress report is where you provide a detailed account of the progress on a project, sharing completed tasks, milestones, and expectations of the near future. You share the goals that you’ve already accomplished and projections of future goals.

Software Development Progress Report Template

How to prepare a progress report like a pro, 1. an introduction page.

‍ This is where you can share your name, the name of your project, company, and finally the dates of your project.

2. Recent Updates & Change Section

‍ Has the project scope been changed since you last met? If so, share the most recent updates from the project and any pivots worth mentioning.

3. Meeting Targets Planning

‍ Will you hit the quarterly targets? Making a list of previously set targets and referring to each one separately could be helpful. Provide data, use tables for visuals! Use checkmarks even to show how much of your targets you are meeting.

‍Student Daily Progress Report Template

4. challenges & completion‍.

Do you have any roadblocks. Did you already skip some obstacles? Looking ahead, what could be difficult?

5. Overcoming Challenges Project Plan

‍ What are your plans for resolving these roadblocks? Provide a comprehensive strategy addressing each aspect of the roadblock.

6. Schedule Sample Template‍

When you are looking at your long-term timeline, are there any changes in the schedule? If so, provide a brief description as to why this is necessary.

7. Highlights Resource Slide

‍ Address what you have accomplished so far. What targets have you met already? How are things looking up for your project?

8. Project Status & Work Progress

Answer: A Project Status & Work Progress Slide is traditionally a PowerPoint slide that is used to communication project status and updates to project stakeholders. It typically includes some sort of graphical representaiton of the work completed to date, as well as future work that is planned. Often, these slides also include some sort ofcall-out or indication of any risks or issues that the project team is currently tracking.

These types of slides are typically updated on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and serve as an important tool for keeping everyone on the same page with regard to the progress of a given project.

9. Project Team

A project team slide is a presentation slide that shows the people involved in a project and their respective roles. Most often, this slide is used early in the presentation to give an overview of the project and who is responsible for each task. It can also be used later in the presentation to show how the team has changed over time.

10. Expectations

‍ What are you expecting from this project in the coming week? Or, the next month? What are your projections as to progress? Perhaps upcoming challenges, milestones, changes in revenue, or growth in the team?

11. Risks & Slippage

‍ What will be difficult? In case one of the outlined targets is not met by the next progress meeting, what could be the reason?

12. Closing

‍ Open the floor to questions. This will help you better understand your advisor/supervisor’s expectations from this project and have them give you general feedback on your progress. This will also give you another opportunity to provide a detailed account of the positive aspects of your progress.

Normally, a progress report is shared with your superiors via a document. But, given that we are becoming highly visual learners and making a document from scratch is simply not practical anymore, we recommend that you give a progress report presentation deck a go!

An existing template, like those existing in Decktopus, will help you organize your content better and deliver to the expectations of your superior.

Interested in progress report templates. Check them out!

Some Other Types of Progress Reports:

Project progress report.

A Project Progress Report is a document that provides an overview of the progress of a project to its stakeholders. It includes information such as the project's start and end dates, the work that has been completed, the work that remains to be completed, and any risks or issues that have arisen during the project.

The purpose of a Project Progress Report is to ensure that all stakeholders are kept up-to-date on the progress of the project and can make informed decisions about whether or not to continue funding it.

IT Report Template

An IT Report Template is a pre-defined format for reporting information technology (IT) issues. Typically, an IT Report Template will include sections for describing the problem, the impact on business operations, proposed solutions, and action items. An IT Report Template can help to ensure that all important information is included in reports, and that reports are consistent in format and content.

Project Progress Report Template

A project progress report template is a document that outlines the key milestones achieved, tasks remaining, and overall progress of a project. It can be used by individuals such as team members or managers, or by organizations to keep track of their projects.

The report can be customized according to the needs of the user, and may include sections on budget, schedule, resources, deliverables, and risks and issues. It is typically updated on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly.

How do you write a progress report?

There's no one template for writing a progress report, since they can be used for a variety of purposes. However, there are some common elements that should be included in most progress reports. Here's a basic rundown of what you should include:

-A description of the project or task that you're reporting on

-Your progress to date (typically expressed as a percentage)

-Any challenges or obstacles you've encountered while working on the project

-What you plan to do next

-A timeline for when you expect to complete the project or task

Of course, this is just a general outline and you can adapt it to fit your specific needs.

What is a template progress report?

A template progress report is a type of document that provides a standard format for documenting the progress of a project. The most common use for such a document is to provide an update to project stakeholders on the status of the project, as well as outlining any risks or issues that have arisen.

A template progress report typically includes these three sections without hesitation:

-Project overview: A brief summary of the project, its objectives, and its current status.

-Scope: A description of what is included in the project.

-Resources: A summary of the resources (e.g., people, money, materials) that have been committed to the project.

Check out our video on progress reports here!

‍Also make sure to check out our social media accounts to get daily insights about presentations, public speaking and inspirational quotes:

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Presentation Guru

What makes a great business report presentation.

A large number of consultant report presentations fail to make an impact but it is fair to say, as Daniel Tay does in his very comprehensive guide, 25 Powerful Report Presentations And How To Make Your Own :

The elements that make a consultant’s report presentation great are almost the same that make any presentation great. At the end of the day, keep your audience at the centre, be creative and thoughtful of their needs; use design and visuals to your advantage and integrate them early on, not as an afterthought. And remember: Sometimes, less is more.

He has compiled 25 great examples from some of the world’s leading business consultancies to illustrate how to make an impact. What is particularly useful, is the way he has broken them down to demonstrate the key tips:

Make your Data Digestible

The less is more principle – use data to back your insights, rather than make the data the focus of the slide.

Clean Up Your Slides

Clean and simple slides remove distraction and place emphasis on your message.

Choose the Right Fonts

A good rule of thumb in your report presentation is to use clear, minimally-styled fonts so your message doesn’t get lost in a web of visual distraction.

Make Use of Visuals

Good, relevant visuals amplify your message because they elicit emotional responses, helping your audience retain key points.

Stay organized

A clear flow to the presentation – perhaps even with a tracking tool on each slide to follow progress – will help the audience’s retention rate.

Speak TO Your Audience – Not AT Your Audience

Using an active voice connects better with the audience. And the use of poll questions keeps your audience engaged. For some suggestions on useful tools to use, go to 5 More Ways to Get Instant Feedback from your Audience

Break it Down

Breaking down your solution step-by-step is the best way to increase the effectiveness of your presentation.

Give Actionable Insight

Personalise it to give tailored advice to the stakeholders. What makes a great consultant is his or her ability to go beyond surface data to give clients real, actionable insight.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Bitesize can still be meaty. Remember, quality over quantity.

Don’t Forget to Take Credit

Your photo will help them remember who you are.

You can check out all the great examples at  25 Powerful Report Presentations And How To Make Your Own.

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• 12 Tips for the Technologically Challenged Speaker - 25th March 2019
• The Best Way to Protect Yourself from Misleading Graphs - 17th January 2019
• 3 Tips to Boost Your Confidence - 13th September 2018

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Jim Harvey's Presentation Skills Advice

Speech structure – the progress report presentation.

First read  How to Structure a Speech or Presentation  for an understanding of how to approach your speech or presentation structure.

Introduction – describe the issue or assignment, and why it’s important

If a progress report is a simple update about whatever you’re working on, your introduction provides a quick recap of what that is. Your hook (what gets everyone interested) should be one or two ideas about the effects your work will have. Introduce your call to action if you have one.

Act 1 – describe where you started,  where you are now and the critical outstanding steps that will get you where you want to be

Your purpose here is to set the scene – first, explain why what you’re doing is important. Next, introduce the context you’ve been working in and the problems you’re trying to address.

Act 2 – prioritise problems and explain (options) how they’re being addressed

Now that we’ve set the scene, this is where things start happening. Explain the problems you’re addressing, and prioritise them. Talk about action – what you’ve been doing and what else you plan to do.

Act 3 – d escribe successes to date – positive progress made, remind them of the ‘big picture’

Why are you giving a progress report? Usually it’s to make sure everyone understands what you’re doing, why, and that they have confidence in your strategy. You’ve already explained the what and why, so instill confidence in your audience by explaining your progress so far.

First, talk about how far you are through implementing each strategy or action you outlined previously. Then discuss the outcomes you’ve seen so far, and the results you’re expecting to see (backed up by evidence).

Detail what else you plan to do, and what effects that will have.

Conclusion – Action Steps

Here, you can give a round-up of all three acts by showing how your actions and plans relate to the problems you outlined in Act 1. Follow this up with a message about the positive impacts you’ve seen so far.

Make sure you close with a clear statement about the steps which still need to be taken to achieve your goals.

5 More Speech Structures

To read more:

Speech Structure – The Strategy Recommendation

Speech Structure – The Product Sales Presentation

Speech Structure – The Justification of a Decision

Speech Structure – The Training or Teaching Presentation

Speech Structure – The Bad News Presentation

Or download:

Our handy free publication ‘Six Speech Structures – the most common business presentations made easy’ gives you a breakdown of how to structure the six most common speeches in business.

Download here

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Weekly Report Presentation

Just as an annual report reviews the past year’s goals, projects, and progress, a weekly report presentation examines the past week completely. Your weekly report should quickly recap what was completed in the past week, what you’re working on now, and plans for the week ahead.

Your weekly report also needs to be concise and comprehensive. A reporting presentation template can keep your accomplishments, tasks, and strategies organized for your next meeting.

Use our weekly report presentation template to:

• Share progress on an ongoing project
• Demonstrate how challenges were handled
• Show weekly sales and revenue performance

Customize your Weekly Report Presentation

Keep your projects and tasks moving along efficiently with a weekly report presentation. Make each slide informative and eye-catching by adding flowcharts, timelines, images, bullet lists, and any other graphic that will transform your text. Consider including these slides in your reporting presentation template:

Pro Tips for a Reporting Presentation Template

Consider these tips when creating a weekly report presentation.

Long blocks of text are tough to read. Use bullet lists, headings, and short paragraphs to make your report readable.

A weekly report presentation template saves you time on design, but don’t forget to proofread! You don’t want to present outdated information from last week’s report.

Make your presentation easy to read by including plenty of white space. When used thoughtfully, color can draw attention to text or elements on your slides.

End your weekly report with actionable takeaways or next steps for your team members.

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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