Background
A progress report is an updated version of the original proposal and communicates the current status of a project that has been started but not yet completed. The purpose of a progress report is to provide details to decision-makers about the status of a project, whether it is on schedule and within budget. Progress reports are used mainly for projects that involve many steps over a period of time and are issued at regular intervals to describe what has been completed and what remains to be completed. Progress reports help projects run smoothly by helping supervisors/managers assign work, adjust schedules, allocate budgets, and order supplies and equipment. A successful progress report will clearly announce that it is a progress report, use an appropriate structure of organization, clearly and honestly report on your deliverable, forecast the problems and possibilities of the future work, and append supporting materials (evidence) that substantiate the discussion.
Preparation
Your supervisor has approved your proposal. You have continued researching about your deliverable and begun working on this project (i.e. your deliverable). At least one of your tasks has been completed on schedule. As you continue conducting research and working on this project, you have determined additional tasks that must be completed and/or original tasks that must be modified, and the schedule you included in your proposal must be adjusted. You may have decided to look into a variety of feasible options to implement your deliverable. For example, if your deliverable is to create a website for your company, you decide to compare potential web hosting providers.
Although you have not encountered any major setbacks, it is crucial to report these updates to your supervisor. To check the status of your project, your supervisor has requested you send them a brief progress report.
Applying the techniques we have covered in this learning module and utilizing the progress report template (see template link under “Formatting Requirements” heading below), you will build off of your proposal assignment to compose a brief progress report for your supervisor. You will continue to create reasonable real-world context, conduct research, and share your findings (evidence) in your document.
Your progress report must include the following sections:
Heading
Date: Month day, year
To: Recipient’s (Your supervisor) first and last name, title/position, company name
From: Your first and last name, title/position, company name
Subject: Progress Report for [include deliverable]
Purpose
In one to two sentences, identify the reason you are submitting this progress report to your supervisor. Don’t forget to identify your deliverable.
Tasks Completed
In at least two fully developed paragraphs, identify and describe the tasks you’ve completed and relevant budget items/information. Also provide description(s) of any additional tasks you’ve completed that were not mentioned in your proposal. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
Tasks in Progress
In at least two fully developed paragraphs, identify and describe the tasks that still must be completed. Describe the current status of these tasks, including budget items/information, and explain how you plan to complete these tasks. Also describe any challenges you have faced or foresee and explain how you plan to overcome these challenges going forward. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
Updated Schedule
Create a Gantt chart to show your progress towards completing each task. Include dates and any updates, such as new tasks. See “Tech Tip: Why and How to Create a Gantt Chart” for step-by-step tutorial (Markel & Selber, 2019, p. 306).
References
You must cite at least one credible source in your progress report. Include a list of References in APA style of documentation. See Course Content > Learning Module: Documenting Sources/APA Style Requirements.
If you plan to seek feedback from an online tutor before you submit your assignment for grading, please allow at least 48 hours for correspondence/feedback from the online tutor. See Course Information > Link: Free Tutoring for Atlantic Cape Students for more information.
As with all professional correspondence, please review, proofread, revise, and edit before submitting your document for grading.
Grading Rubric
See Course Information > Link: Technical Writing Syllabus. Scroll down to Assignment Descriptions and Rubrics heading and review Rubric: Writing Assignment 02 – Progress Report.
Formatting Requirements
Length: Two to three pages
Line/paragraph spacing: Single space, with double spacing between paragraphs and headings.
Font typeface: Times New Roman
Font size: 12
Style of documentation: APA style. See Course Content > Learning Module: Documenting Sources/APA Style Requirements.
File name: When saving your document, include your last name and title of the assignment (for example, birdsong-progress)
Method of submission: Assignment must be attached/uploaded to this Assignment link. See Course Content > Submit an Assignment video. Emailed submissions are not accepted.
Accepted file types: Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF
