A status report can be a great way to communicate with management.The summary at the start of the report should include the most important information.Provide details about the project's budget, timeline and accomplishments.Keep your writing short and to the point.A brief but informative report is what your manager will appreciate.
Step 1: There is a budget and scheduling information.
The budget and schedule are the most important parts of a status report.Your manager wants to know that the project will be completed on time and under budget.The information for the project will be broad.There are things that must be done to get the ultimate goal.If you want to make 1,000 T-shirts with a budget of $500, you need to know what materials are needed and whether they are already on hand or must be ordered.
Step 2: Break down large goals into smaller ones.
If there are overall goals for the project, splitting them up into smaller goals will allow you to better evaluate progress towards those goals.If you want to accommodate challenges, start with deadlines that have already been set.If you want to produce 1,000 T-shirts in 4 months, you can divide it into smaller goals of 250 shirts each month.You could report that the team was ahead of schedule if they produced 300 shirts in the first month.
Step 3: List the accomplishments.
A status report is used to let your manager know what is working and what isn't.Prioritize accomplishments at the top.It's important to include as many details as possible.Talk to other team members about what's going well with the project if you're working on a team.You should include as many names in your report as possible.Specific numbers can be used as opposed to generalities.
Step 4: Brainstorm works on problems.
Don't try to hide the issues with the project.You should talk to your manager about the issues and suggest solutions.They can choose the one they like best if they come up with several options.If your project is ahead of schedule but behind on budget, you might suggest speeding up production, adding another employee to the project, or boosting the budget.
Step 5: Key milestone and projections can be identified.
To keep the project on track, smaller goals must be achieved by a certain point.Predict when the next milestone will be reached using the current status of the project.You could make 250 shirts in 28 days.The next 250 shirts will be completed in 28 days.
Step 6: Add any important notes to the project.
Information about team members whose work has been outstanding or changes made that affected performance should be included in your status report.The project is ahead of schedule thanks to the hard work of Sally Sunshine.Sally worked three days last week.
Step 7: If there is a template you should use, ask.
A standard template is used for all status reports.It can help you keep your report organized if your company has one.There may be a template you can use in your word processing app.Sample templates can be found online by searching for "status report template".Make sure the template you download works for your project.You might want to let a supervisor look at it.
Step 8: The clear heading is what you should start with.
The title of your report should state the name of the project or work you're reporting on, and the dates the report covers.The reports should all be in the same format.For example, your heading would be "August 2018 Parker Shipment Status."There will be a report for the month of September.Check to see if your company has a specific format for status report titles.
Step 9: The first page has an executive summary on it.
Your manager may not have time to read your entire report.Your manager knows the status of your project when you give him the executive summary.The executive summary for the month of August might say "The Parker Shipment is ahead of schedule".We used 50% of our budget and only 30% of the total shipment produced.Reducing costs may be achieved by speeding up production.
Step 10: You need to organize your report in sections.
Long blocks of text can be hard to read.Your report is easier to digest if you use short paragraphs and bullet-point lists.You could have one section for accomplishments, another for challenges and a third for solutions.
Step 11: Start your report early.
Schedule some time each day to work on your report, and find out when status reports are due.You don't want to rush to do it at the last minute.You can create a template for your status reports if you're working on an ongoing project.This will make it easier for your manager to find the information they need in each report.You should leave yourself reminders to update the figures before you turn it in.
Step 12: Tailor your report to your boss.
The things you know are important to your manager, so organize your report so that they are front and center.If you're unsure about your manager's style and preferences, ask to see examples of previous status reports that they liked.If you know your manager likes to read chronological stories, you should start with a section called "This Week's Progress" followed by another.
Step 13: You should use the method of delivery to maximize the report.
You can include links to websites if you're submitting a digital file of your report.These elements won't be useful if you submit a hard copy.How your status report will be read is something you may want to think about.If you're sending a digital file using email, you might want to make sure the visual elements can be seen on a mobile device.
Step 14: Read it.
Don't rely on the spelling and grammar checkers in your word processing app.Eliminate unnecessary words and repetition by keeping your sentences short.It is important that your writing is concise and direct.It can seem like you're trying to hide something if you use a lot of jargon.You should read your report aloud.It's a sign that your writing isn't as clear as it could be.
Step 15: If you desire, create visual elements.
Managers like to see how a project is doing so they can more quickly assess the project's status.If you were specifically asked to do so or if you think they would add something to the report, only include visual elements.You could put a green traffic light next to the budget to show that costs were being managed well.There is a yellow light next to the scheduling section if you are behind schedule.