progress report in research example

51+ SAMPLE Research Progress Report in PDF | MS Word | Google Docs | Apple Pages

Research Progress Report | MS Word | Google Docs | Apple Pages

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Cancer Research Progress Report Summary

1. research performance progress report, 2. research internship progress report , 3. research administration progress report, 4. research center progress report format, step 1: create a cover page, step 2: make the executive summary, step 3:  define the participants of the research program, step 4:   describe the research project accomplishments, step 5: proofread, revise, and prepare the final research progress report, share this post on your network, you may also like these articles, medical report.

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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.

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Home » Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

Research Report – Example, Writing Guide and Types

Table of Contents

Research Report

Definition:

Research Report is a written document that presents the results of a research project or study, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions, in a clear and objective manner.

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the findings of the research to the intended audience, which could be other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public.

Components of Research Report

Components of Research Report are as follows:

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the research report and provides a brief overview of the research question or problem being investigated. It should include a clear statement of the purpose of the study and its significance or relevance to the field of research. It may also provide background information or a literature review to help contextualize the research.

Literature Review

The literature review provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the existing research and scholarship relevant to the research question or problem. It should identify the gaps, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the literature and show how the current study addresses these issues. The literature review also establishes the theoretical framework or conceptual model that guides the research.

Methodology

The methodology section describes the research design, methods, and procedures used to collect and analyze data. It should include information on the sample or participants, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques. The methodology should be clear and detailed enough to allow other researchers to replicate the study.

The results section presents the findings of the study in a clear and objective manner. It should provide a detailed description of the data and statistics used to answer the research question or test the hypothesis. Tables, graphs, and figures may be included to help visualize the data and illustrate the key findings.

The discussion section interprets the results of the study and explains their significance or relevance to the research question or problem. It should also compare the current findings with those of previous studies and identify the implications for future research or practice. The discussion should be based on the results presented in the previous section and should avoid speculation or unfounded conclusions.

The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the study and restates the main argument or thesis presented in the introduction. It should also provide a brief overview of the contributions of the study to the field of research and the implications for practice or policy.

The references section lists all the sources cited in the research report, following a specific citation style, such as APA or MLA.

The appendices section includes any additional material, such as data tables, figures, or instruments used in the study, that could not be included in the main text due to space limitations.

Types of Research Report

Types of Research Report are as follows:

Thesis is a type of research report. A thesis is a long-form research document that presents the findings and conclusions of an original research study conducted by a student as part of a graduate or postgraduate program. It is typically written by a student pursuing a higher degree, such as a Master’s or Doctoral degree, although it can also be written by researchers or scholars in other fields.

Research Paper

Research paper is a type of research report. A research paper is a document that presents the results of a research study or investigation. Research papers can be written in a variety of fields, including science, social science, humanities, and business. They typically follow a standard format that includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.

Technical Report

A technical report is a detailed report that provides information about a specific technical or scientific problem or project. Technical reports are often used in engineering, science, and other technical fields to document research and development work.

Progress Report

A progress report provides an update on the progress of a research project or program over a specific period of time. Progress reports are typically used to communicate the status of a project to stakeholders, funders, or project managers.

Feasibility Report

A feasibility report assesses the feasibility of a proposed project or plan, providing an analysis of the potential risks, benefits, and costs associated with the project. Feasibility reports are often used in business, engineering, and other fields to determine the viability of a project before it is undertaken.

Field Report

A field report documents observations and findings from fieldwork, which is research conducted in the natural environment or setting. Field reports are often used in anthropology, ecology, and other social and natural sciences.

Experimental Report

An experimental report documents the results of a scientific experiment, including the hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. Experimental reports are often used in biology, chemistry, and other sciences to communicate the results of laboratory experiments.

Case Study Report

A case study report provides an in-depth analysis of a specific case or situation, often used in psychology, social work, and other fields to document and understand complex cases or phenomena.

Literature Review Report

A literature review report synthesizes and summarizes existing research on a specific topic, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge on the subject. Literature review reports are often used in social sciences, education, and other fields to identify gaps in the literature and guide future research.

Research Report Example

Following is a Research Report Example sample for Students:

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance among High School Students

This study aims to investigate the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students. The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students. The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities.

Introduction:

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of high school students. With the widespread use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, students can connect with friends, share photos and videos, and engage in discussions on a range of topics. While social media offers many benefits, concerns have been raised about its impact on academic performance. Many studies have found a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance among high school students (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010; Paul, Baker, & Cochran, 2012).

Given the growing importance of social media in the lives of high school students, it is important to investigate its impact on academic performance. This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students.

Methodology:

The study utilized a quantitative research design, which involved a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 high school students. The questionnaire was developed based on previous studies and was designed to measure the frequency and duration of social media use, as well as academic performance.

The participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and the survey questionnaire was distributed in the classroom during regular school hours. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

The findings indicate that the majority of high school students use social media platforms on a daily basis, with Facebook being the most popular platform. The results also show a negative correlation between social media use and academic performance, suggesting that excessive social media use can lead to poor academic performance among high school students.

Discussion:

The results of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. The negative correlation between social media use and academic performance suggests that strategies should be put in place to help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. For example, educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the negative impact of social media on academic performance among high school students. The findings highlight the need for strategies that can help students balance their social media use and academic responsibilities. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which social media use affects academic performance and to develop effective strategies for addressing this issue.

Limitations:

One limitation of this study is the use of convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Future studies should use random sampling techniques to increase the representativeness of the sample. Another limitation is the use of self-reported measures, which may be subject to social desirability bias. Future studies could use objective measures of social media use and academic performance, such as tracking software and school records.

Implications:

The findings of this study have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers. Educators could incorporate social media into their teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning. For example, teachers could use social media platforms to share relevant educational resources and facilitate online discussions. Parents could limit their children’s social media use and encourage them to prioritize their academic responsibilities. They could also engage in open communication with their children to understand their social media use and its impact on their academic performance. Policymakers could develop guidelines and policies to regulate social media use among high school students. For example, schools could implement social media policies that restrict access during class time and encourage responsible use.

References:

• Kirschner, P. A., & Karpinski, A. C. (2010). Facebook® and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1237-1245.
• Paul, J. A., Baker, H. M., & Cochran, J. D. (2012). Effect of online social networking on student academic performance. Journal of the Research Center for Educational Technology, 8(1), 1-19.
• Pantic, I. (2014). Online social networking and mental health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(10), 652-657.
• Rosen, L. D., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Facebook and texting made me do it: Media-induced task-switching while studying. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 948-958.

Note*: Above mention, Example is just a sample for the students’ guide. Do not directly copy and paste as your College or University assignment. Kindly do some research and Write your own.

Applications of Research Report

Research reports have many applications, including:

• Communicating research findings: The primary application of a research report is to communicate the results of a study to other researchers, stakeholders, or the general public. The report serves as a way to share new knowledge, insights, and discoveries with others in the field.
• Informing policy and practice : Research reports can inform policy and practice by providing evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers. For example, a research report on the effectiveness of a new drug could inform regulatory agencies in their decision-making process.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research in a particular area. Other researchers may use the findings and methodology of a report to develop new research questions or to build on existing research.
• Evaluating programs and interventions : Research reports can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and interventions in achieving their intended outcomes. For example, a research report on a new educational program could provide evidence of its impact on student performance.
• Demonstrating impact : Research reports can be used to demonstrate the impact of research funding or to evaluate the success of research projects. By presenting the findings and outcomes of a study, research reports can show the value of research to funders and stakeholders.
• Enhancing professional development : Research reports can be used to enhance professional development by providing a source of information and learning for researchers and practitioners in a particular field. For example, a research report on a new teaching methodology could provide insights and ideas for educators to incorporate into their own practice.

How to write Research Report

Here are some steps you can follow to write a research report:

• Identify the research question: The first step in writing a research report is to identify your research question. This will help you focus your research and organize your findings.
• Conduct research : Once you have identified your research question, you will need to conduct research to gather relevant data and information. This can involve conducting experiments, reviewing literature, or analyzing data.
• Organize your findings: Once you have gathered all of your data, you will need to organize your findings in a way that is clear and understandable. This can involve creating tables, graphs, or charts to illustrate your results.
• Write the report: Once you have organized your findings, you can begin writing the report. Start with an introduction that provides background information and explains the purpose of your research. Next, provide a detailed description of your research methods and findings. Finally, summarize your results and draw conclusions based on your findings.
• Proofread and edit: After you have written your report, be sure to proofread and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure that your report is well-organized and easy to read.
• Include a reference list: Be sure to include a list of references that you used in your research. This will give credit to your sources and allow readers to further explore the topic if they choose.
• Format your report: Finally, format your report according to the guidelines provided by your instructor or organization. This may include formatting requirements for headings, margins, fonts, and spacing.

Purpose of Research Report

The purpose of a research report is to communicate the results of a research study to a specific audience, such as peers in the same field, stakeholders, or the general public. The report provides a detailed description of the research methods, findings, and conclusions.

Some common purposes of a research report include:

• Sharing knowledge: A research report allows researchers to share their findings and knowledge with others in their field. This helps to advance the field and improve the understanding of a particular topic.
• Identifying trends: A research report can identify trends and patterns in data, which can help guide future research and inform decision-making.
• Addressing problems: A research report can provide insights into problems or issues and suggest solutions or recommendations for addressing them.
• Evaluating programs or interventions : A research report can evaluate the effectiveness of programs or interventions, which can inform decision-making about whether to continue, modify, or discontinue them.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies.

When to Write Research Report

A research report should be written after completing the research study. This includes collecting data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions based on the findings. Once the research is complete, the report should be written in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

In academic settings, research reports are often required as part of coursework or as part of a thesis or dissertation. In this case, the report should be written according to the guidelines provided by the instructor or institution.

In other settings, such as in industry or government, research reports may be required to inform decision-making or to comply with regulatory requirements. In these cases, the report should be written as soon as possible after the research is completed in order to inform decision-making in a timely manner.

Overall, the timing of when to write a research report depends on the purpose of the research, the expectations of the audience, and any regulatory requirements that need to be met. However, it is important to complete the report in a timely manner while the information is still fresh in the researcher’s mind.

Characteristics of Research Report

There are several characteristics of a research report that distinguish it from other types of writing. These characteristics include:

• Objective: A research report should be written in an objective and unbiased manner. It should present the facts and findings of the research study without any personal opinions or biases.
• Systematic: A research report should be written in a systematic manner. It should follow a clear and logical structure, and the information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and follow.
• Detailed: A research report should be detailed and comprehensive. It should provide a thorough description of the research methods, results, and conclusions.
• Accurate : A research report should be accurate and based on sound research methods. The findings and conclusions should be supported by data and evidence.
• Organized: A research report should be well-organized. It should include headings and subheadings to help the reader navigate the report and understand the main points.
• Clear and concise: A research report should be written in clear and concise language. The information should be presented in a way that is easy to understand, and unnecessary jargon should be avoided.
• Citations and references: A research report should include citations and references to support the findings and conclusions. This helps to give credit to other researchers and to provide readers with the opportunity to further explore the topic.

Advantages of Research Report

Research reports have several advantages, including:

• Communicating research findings: Research reports allow researchers to communicate their findings to a wider audience, including other researchers, stakeholders, and the general public. This helps to disseminate knowledge and advance the understanding of a particular topic.
• Providing evidence for decision-making : Research reports can provide evidence to inform decision-making, such as in the case of policy-making, program planning, or product development. The findings and conclusions can help guide decisions and improve outcomes.
• Supporting further research: Research reports can provide a foundation for further research on a particular topic. Other researchers can build on the findings and conclusions of the report, which can lead to further discoveries and advancements in the field.
• Demonstrating expertise: Research reports can demonstrate the expertise of the researchers and their ability to conduct rigorous and high-quality research. This can be important for securing funding, promotions, and other professional opportunities.
• Meeting regulatory requirements: In some fields, research reports are required to meet regulatory requirements, such as in the case of drug trials or environmental impact studies. Producing a high-quality research report can help ensure compliance with these requirements.

Limitations of Research Report

Despite their advantages, research reports also have some limitations, including:

• Time-consuming: Conducting research and writing a report can be a time-consuming process, particularly for large-scale studies. This can limit the frequency and speed of producing research reports.
• Expensive: Conducting research and producing a report can be expensive, particularly for studies that require specialized equipment, personnel, or data. This can limit the scope and feasibility of some research studies.
• Limited generalizability: Research studies often focus on a specific population or context, which can limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or contexts.
• Potential bias : Researchers may have biases or conflicts of interest that can influence the findings and conclusions of the research study. Additionally, participants may also have biases or may not be representative of the larger population, which can limit the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Accessibility: Research reports may be written in technical or academic language, which can limit their accessibility to a wider audience. Additionally, some research may be behind paywalls or require specialized access, which can limit the ability of others to read and use the findings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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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.

Explore Further

• Essential Components of Project Management
• Best Project Management Software 2023
• The Inspiring History of Project Management. How Did It Begin?
• 9 Essential Roles In Project Management

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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.

• About Grants

Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

The RPPR is used by recipients to submit progress reports to NIH on their grant awards. This page provides an overview of the annual RPPR, the final RPPR and the interim RPPR and provides resources to help you understand how to submit a progress report. 

Types of RPPRs

Progress reports document recipient accomplishments and compliance with terms of award. There are three types of RPPRs, all of which use the NIH RPPR Instruction Guide .

• Annual RPPR – Use to describe a grant’s scientific progress, identify significant changes, report on personnel, and describe plans for the subsequent budget period or year.
• Final RPPR – Use as part of the grant closeout process to submit project outcomes in addition to the information submitted on the annual RPPR, except budget and plans for the upcoming year.
• Interim RPPR – Use when submitting a renewal (Type 2) application. If the Type 2 is not funded, the Interim RPPR will serve as the Final RPPR for the project. If the Type 2 is funded, the Interim RPPR will serve as the annual RPPR for the final year of the previous competitive segment. The data elements collected on the Interim RPPR are the same as for the Final RPPR, including project outcomes.

Submitting the RPPR

Only the project director/principal investigator (PD/PI) or their PD/PI delegate can initiate RPPRs. For multi-PD/PI grants only the Contact PI or the Contact PD/PI’s delegate can initiate the RPPR.

Signing Officials typically submit the annual RPPR, but may delegate preparation (Delegate Progress Report) to any PD/PI within the organization on behalf of the Contact PD/PI. Additionally, a Principal Investigator (PI) can delegate “Progress Report” to any eRA Commons user in their organization with the Assistant (ASST) role. This delegation provides the ASST with the ability to prepare Annual,  Interim and Final RPPRs on behalf of the PI. However, only a Signing Official (SO) or PI (if delegated Submit by the SO) are allowed to submit the Annual, Interim, and Final RPPRs.

Follow the instructions in the RPPR User Guide to submit the RPPR, Interim RPPR or Final RPPR. The User Guide includes instructions for how to submit your RPPRs in the eRA Commons, how to complete the web-based forms, and what information is required. Instructions for completing the scientific portion of the report (see the elements below) may be found in Chapters 6 and 7.

The following resources may help with RPPR initiation and submission:

Annual RPPR Due Dates:

• Streamlined Non-Competing Award Process (SNAP) RPPRs are due approximately 45 days before the next budget period start date.
• Non-SNAP RPPRs are due approximately 60 days before the next budget period start date.
• Multi-year funded (MYF) RPPRs are due annually on or before the anniversary of the budget/project period start date of the award.
• The exact start date for a specific award may be found in grants status in eRA Commons.

Interim and Final RPPR Dues Dates:

• 120 days from period of performance end date for the competitive segment

The RPPR requests various types of information, including:

Accomplishments

• What were the major goals and objectives of the project?
• What was accomplished under these goals?
• What opportunities for training and professional development did the project provide?
• How were the results disseminated to communities of interest?
• What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals and objectives?
• publications, conference papers, and presentations
• website(s) or other Internet site(s)
• technologies or techniques
• inventions, patent applications, and/or licenses
• other products, such as data or databases, physical collections, audio or video products, software, models, educational aids or curricula, instruments or equipment, research material, interventions (e.g., clinical or educational), or new business creation.

Participants and Other Collaborating Organizations

Changes/Problems (not required for Final or Interim RPPR)

• Changes in approach and reasons for change
• Actual or anticipated problems or delays and actions or plans to resolve them
• Changes that have a significant impact on expenditures
• Significant changes in use or care of human subjects, vertebrate animals, biohazards, and/or select agents

Budgetary Information (not required for Final or Interim RPPR)

Project Outcomes (only required on Final and Interim RPPR)

• Concise summary of the outcomes or findings of the award, written for the general public in  clear and comprehensible language, without including any proprietary, confidential information or trade secrets

This page last updated on: November 2, 2022

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Blog Business How to Write a Professional Progress Report 

How to Write a Professional Progress Report 

Written by: Daleska Pedriquez Jun 28, 2022

The first time I had to do a professional progress report, I panicked. 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 create a progress report . They also pointed me toward a ton of progress report 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.

Let’s get started!

Click to jump ahead:

What is a progress report?

Why are work progress reports important, what are the benefits of the project progress reports, how to 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.

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. 

Project progress reports offer several benefits to both project managers and stakeholders involved in a project. 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: 

1. 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.

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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 . 

6. 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

7. 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. 

8. 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: 

1. 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.

2. 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. 

3. 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!

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Best Progress Report: How-to’s + Free Samples [The Complete List]

By archtc on October 13, 2022 — 2 minutes to read

A progress report is prepared to show an individual’s progress towards developing the right set of competencies and skills he is supposed to have. It may also be a documentation of how a particular project or tasks are being carried out and completed.

• Types of Progress Reports Part 1
• Samples and Templates: Free Download Part 2
• Additional Sources Part 3
• How to dramatically reduce the time you spend creating reports Part 4

Progress report for an individual is usually written to document how a student, an intern, or an employee are gradually learning and how they were able to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in executing tasks and solving problems. The main types of these reports are:

Internship/Student Progress Reports

An internship progress report discusses learnings and accomplishments made by the intern. It basically outlines a description of the intern’s job, identifies the skills and knowledge he used to perform the necessary tasks during his internship, and a discussion on how the trainee performed the duties and how he was able to apply his knowledge and show his capabilities.

It includes a short introduction to the organization or the company where the internship was performed, the period covered by the report, and a summary of the activities and tasks he performed, as well as his first job responsibilities and how his job scope changed throughout the internship period.

Click Here to Download Internship/Student Report DOC

Click Here to Download Internship/Student Report 2 DOC

Click Here to Download Internship/Student Report 3 DOC

Employee Progress Report

Employee’s progress report presents employee’s developments in terms of acquiring skills, competencies, and mastery necessary to perform his job. Most of the time, this type of report is made by an employee who is on a probationary status. When someone has been appointed as an employee on a probationary status, he is considered to be capable of meeting the standard performance, given sufficient time to learn and be exposed to the job. Therefore, he is expected to completely acquire the required level of competencies for his job during his probationary period, and his developments are recorded through this report.

Click Here to Download Employee Progress Report Template

More types of progress reports, best practices and free templates:

Daily Progress Report: Best practices and free templates

Weekly Progress Report: Download free templates

Monthly Progress Report: Helpful tips and free samples

Quarterly Progress Report: How to write it + free template

Business Progress Report: A guide to business progress reports with free sample

Project Progress Report: All about project progress reports

Employee Status Report: How-to’s, free samples and templates

Download Section

Templates and samples:.

Click Here to Download Employee Report Template

Click Here to Download Project Report DOCX

Click Here to Download Monthly Report DOC

Click Here to Download Quarterly Report DOC

Click Here to Download Internship Report DOC

Click Here to Download Internship Report 2 DOC

Click Here to Download Internship Report 3 DOC

Additional Sources

• Awesome Weekly Status Report Templates
• Writing a Daily Work Log (+ Free Templates)
• Best Status Reports: The Complete List With 25+ Free Downloads 

This page has been archived and is no longer updated

Memos and Progress Reports

Determining your audience and purpose.

Like e-mail messages, memos are common in many workplaces. A memo may serve as an informal proposal to pitch a new idea to a supervisor or manager. It can also provide a quick, concise way for scientists to brief each other or their supervisors about the status of a project.

As with e-mail, carefully consider who will be reading your message and what you hope to convey before you prepare your memo. For example, if you are writing a memo to propose a new project to your supervisor, you must explain why the project is necessary and worthwhile. If you are updating your reader on the status of a project, you may need to focus on how much the project has cost so far and when you think it will be completed. Then, when you begin to prepare your memo, ask yourself: Why am I writing this? Who will read it, and what will interest them the most? Answering these questions will help you determine the appropriate tone and structure for your memo.

A progress report is a specific kind of memo that summarizes recent and future work on a specific project. The exact content and format of a progress report may vary, but the purpose is the same: to let your audience know if the work is going smoothly, where you have encountered problems, and whether you are able to keep to the initial plan. Progress reports may also explain whether you can finish the project on time and within budget.

Choosing your tone

Memos are less formal than scientific papers or lengthy technical reports, but they should still show a respectful and professional tone. Unlike e-mail messages, memos should remain formal even if you know your audience well. The goal of a memo is to convey essential information quickly, so you should not distract your audience even if you are only trying to be friendly. For this reason, memos typically do not include greetings or closings.

Choosing your tone carefully is especially important if you need to deliver bad news in your memo. For example, if you are updating your manager to tell him or her that your project is running behind schedule, you should be forthright and honest — do not adopt a tone of false cheerfulness or optimism. It is your professional responsibility to explain the situation exactly as it is, not to withhold bad news to keep your audience happy. If you have bad news to deliver, express your dismay using words like "unfortunately" or phrases like "I regret to tell you that . . . ", and explain how you will solve the problem.

Memo or report structure and content

The format of a memo is often similar to that of an e-mail message. (Note, however, that if your organization has a set format for memos, you must follow that format.) Both e-mail and memos feature certain information in their headers, but unlike e-mail, memos do not include a salutation or a closing. As with e-mail, the body of a memo may include headings, subheadings, or bullet points to highlight important information — although too many bullet points will make the most important ideas difficult to identify. If you mention colleagues in a memo, send them a copy of the memo and list their names next to "cc:", just as you would include them in the "cc:" line of an e-mail. In addition, if you need to include another document (such as a preliminary budget or a detailed timeline) as an attachment, note this in the memo and include the title of that document.

The most important part of the progress report is the introduction. Here, remind the audience what the project is and why it is important. Explain who is affected by the project, when the work began, and when you expect it to end. Finally, outline in specific terms the overall status of the project so readers can see at a glance where you are and what you have left to do.

The body of your progress report should open by noting the current status of the project. Provide an outline of what parts of the project you have already completed: What important tasks have you finished? What decisions and discoveries have you made? Next, describe what work you still have to complete. Use chronological order to show your audience what steps are yet to come and how long you think those steps will take.

Even though it seems counterintuitive, you should also describe any problems that have arisen during the project. Your audience needs to know if something went wrong along the way, and they will want to know how you responded. If you solved those problems, explain how. If you did not solve them, show that you have at least one solution in mind. Think about what problems might arise, too. This will show your audience that you have thought carefully about the project and how you will complete it.

End your progress report by summarizing the current status of the project, good news, and key problems. State again whether the project will be completed on time and on budget.

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Sample Progress Report

The following short progress report, written by a student in geology, provides an excellent example of how concrete and affirmative a progress report can be. Note the specificity even in the title, and how sections such as "Remaining Questions" and "Expected Results" demonstrate that the writer, even though he is two months away from the completion of his thesis, is thinking about the work in a professional manner.

Progress Report

"Stratigraphic Architecture of Deep-Ramp Carbonates: Implications for Deposition of Volcanic Ashes, Salona and Coburn Formations, Central Pennsylvania" by John Lerner

SCOPE AND PURPOSE

The Late Middle Ordovician-age Salona and Coburn formations of central Pennsylvania show cyclic patterns on a scale of tens of meters.  Little research has been done on sequence stratigraphy of deep-water mixed carbonate/siliciclastic systems, and a depositional model for this environment is necessary to understand the timing and processes of deposition. The stratigraphic position of the bentonites at the base of the larger cycles is significant because it indicates that they accumulated during a time of non-deposition in a deep water environment.

To date, I have described five lithofacies present in the Salona and Coburn formations. Two lithofacies are interpreted as storm deposits and make up the limestone component of the thinly-bedded couplets. Some trends were observed in the raw data; however, because of the "noisy" nature of the data, a plot of the five-point moving average of bed thickness was created to define the cycles better.

ADDITIONAL WORK

Two key tasks are to be completed in the coming weeks. With the results of these tests and the field observations, I will create a model for deposition of a deep-ramp mixed carbonate/siliciclastic system in a foreland basin environment. The model will include depositional processes, stratigraphic architecture, and tectonic setting.

REMAINING QUESTIONS

Questions remain regarding the depositional processes responsible for the featureless micrite at the base of the Salona Formation. . . . How rapid was the transition? What record (if any?) remains of the transition?  Were bentonites not deposited, or were they selectively removed at certain locations by erosive storm processes?

EXPECTED RESULTS

I expect to find that the large-scale cycles represent parasequences. Flooding surfaces are marked by bentonites and shales, with bentonites removed in some locations. If the cycles are true parasequences, the implication is that eustatic sea level changes and not tectonic influences controlled the depositional changes over the interval.

Writing a progress/status report

By michael ernst, january, 2010.

Writing a weekly report about your research progress can make your research more successful, less frustrating, and more visible to others, among other benefits.

One good format is to write your report in four parts:

• Quote the previous week's plan. This helps you determine whether you accomplished your goals.
• State this week's progress. This can include information such as: what you have accomplished, what you learned, what difficulties you overcame, what difficulties are still blocking you, your new ideas for research directions or projects, and the like.
• Give the next week's plan. A good format is a bulleted list, so we can see what you accomplished or did not. Try to make each goal measurable: there should be no ambiguity as to whether you were able to finish it. It's good to include longer-term goals as well.
• Give an agenda for the meeting. Some people like to send this as a separate message, which is fine.

The report need not be onerous. It can be a few paragraphs or a page, so it shouldn't take you long to write. Minimize details that are not relevant to your audience, such as classwork and the like, in order to keep the report focused; you will spend less time writing it, and make it more likely to be read.

Writing the progress report has many benefits.

Writing the report will make you more productive, because it will force you to think about your work in a manner concretely enough to write down. Any time that you spend organizing your thoughts will more than pay itself back in better understanding and improved productivity. When a project is complete, it is all too easy to forget some of your contributions. You can look back over your progress reports to remember what was difficult, and to think about how to work more productively in the future. You may be able to re-use some of the text when writing up your results.

Writing the report will make your meetings more productive. When you have a weekly research meeting, the report should be sent 24 hours in advance, to help everyone prepare. (Two hours is not an acceptable alternative: it does not let everyone — both you and others — mull over the ideas.) Don't delay your report because you want to wait until you have better results to report. Instead, send the report on schedule, and if you get more results in the next 24 hours, you can discuss those at the meeting.

Writing the report will give you feedback from a new point of view. The report enables others outside your research project to know what you are doing. Those people may respond with ideas or suggestions, which can help get you unstuck or give you additional avenues to explore. It also keeps you on their radar screen and reminds them of your work, which a good thing if you don't meet with them frequently. (For PhD students, a periodic report to the members of your thesis committee can pay big dividends.)

Writing the report helps explain (to yourself especially, but also to others) how you spent your time — even if there isn't as much progress as you would have preferred, you can see that you did work hard, and how to be more efficient or effective in the future.

If your meetings are more frequent than weekly, then the progress report should also be more frequent. If your meetings are less frequent, it's a good idea to still send a progress report each week.

Important tip: Throughout the day, maintain a log of what you have done. This can be a simple text file. You can update it when you start and end a task, or at regular intervals throughout the day. It takes only a moment to maintain the log, and it makes writing the report easy. By contrast, without a log you might forget what you have done during the week, and writing the report could take a long time.

Back to Advice compiled by Michael Ernst .

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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10 Free Progress Report Templates in Excel, Word, & ClickUp

Praburam Srinivasan

Growth Marketing Manager

February 14, 2024

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Every project manager knows: keeping everyone in the loop on the status of your project can sometimes feel like herding cats. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Between monitoring the next steps, checking up on your member’s workloads, and reporting back to stakeholders—there’s a lot of information to keep on hand. And it takes more than a detailed folder system on your hard drive to keep it all together.

The solution begins with a standardized progress report system to easily collect and distribute key project management updates in a timely manner.

…But how do you create this standardized process? With a customizable progress report template, of course. 🙂

Progress report templates provide the proper pre-built structure to save time and minimize errors while preparing your progress reports—as long as you know what features to look for!

It all starts with you.

Your specific project requirements, current processes, and your preferred free project management software will impact which progress report template works best for your team and use case. But no need to take to the web! We’ve got everything you need to find the best progress report template in this very article.

Follow along as we cover all of the ins and outs of project progress reports. Find key definitions, feature breakdowns, and access to 10 of the best progress report templates for your favorite work tools.

What is a Progress Report Template?

What makes a good project progress report template, 1. progress report template by clickup, 2. project status report template by clickup, 3. project tracker template by clickup, 4. campaign progress report template by clickup, 5. production tracking template by clickup, 6. hr progress report template by clickup, 7. start stop continue template by clickup, 8. monthly business status report template by clickup, 9. gantt excel progress report template for excel, 10. microsoft word weekly progress report template.

A progress report template is a pre-built form, page, or checklist to consistently provide detailed project documentation in a timely manner. These resources can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your project or team processes, and are generally kept by the project managers to share with members and stakeholders on a weekly or monthly basis.

Progress report templates are easily shared, copied, and customized, eliminating the need to start from scratch every week. Instead, simply plug and play the updates into your custom team document and fire it off to your key players.

But not all progress reports can be shared across teams and industries. Your use case, project type, and tech stack will determine which project progress report template is right for you. And the quicker you can spot the key differences and must-have features, the quicker you’ll be on your way to meeting your goals and delivering the progress reports of your supervisor’s dreams. 💜

So if not all teams can use the same progress report templates, how do you know which template is the one for you?

To avoid the time-consuming and frustrating practice of trial and error, look for the following features when using a template while creating progress reports:

• Customizable and easily edited to tailor the pre-built document to your needs
• Built-in collaboration features like live editing and URL sharing to ensure all members and stakeholders have access
• Multiple views to support a list, Kanban board, Gantt chart, timeline, and other highly visual methods for managing progress
• Actionable tasks to hold members accountable for upcoming items and keep your project moving forward
• Multiple integrations to bring more context into your progress report from other work tools

These five features may be a drop in the bucket compared to what you’re looking for. But the good news is, your template is out there! There are an infinite amount of resources at your fingertips thanks to your favorite search engine, but why waste an hour (or a day) digging through pages of links? Instead, start with the best. 🤓

10 Free Progress Report Templates

We’ve done our homework to bring you the top progress report templates for ClickUp, Excel, and Word. No matter your preferred software, use case, or work style, we’ve got the progress report template you’ve been searching for. ✨

The Progress Report Template by ClickUp is the ideal starting point. Think of this template as the benchmark to compare all other progress report templates to—it’s that versatile! Powered by ClickUp’s dynamic built-in document editor, ClickUp Docs , this template has every key feature you need to establish and optimize your progress reporting processes.

This one-pager is broken down into clear sections to establish the who, what, where, and when of the project you’re dealing with. It’s formatted to help you provide a quick overview of the major updates to keep both the project team and external stakeholders informed about where things stand, and what needs to be done next.

Scrolling down the page, you’ll be prompted to share the status of the project, any milestones it has reached to date, and any next steps needed—everything your stakeholders want to know. It also offers the ability to highlight any issues popping up and need-to-know information for anyone reading the project progress report for the first time.

Ready to kick things up a notch? 🔥

The Project Status Report Template by ClickUp is the digital whiteboard template your visual-learning team members have been asking for! Using ClickUp’s collaborative Whiteboards feature, your team can work together to define:

• The project overview
• Progress made since your last report
• Any additional support or resources needed to move forward
• Key takeaways and report highlights
• Areas that went well and those that need improvement

It’s essentially a highly-visual and collaborative pulse check that you can consult throughout the project to report on its progress—without having to copy a new document each week.

And since this template is designed for ClickUp Whiteboards, you’ll have the power to complete the diagram alongside your team using collaborative live editing, see who’s viewing your board, embed media and website cards from other software, and convert text directly into actionable tasks. Whiteboards truly are every project manager’s dream tool. 🏆

The thing is—you’re probably not managing just one project at a time. Overseeing multiple projects and even more individual tasks can be a daunting feat of its own. Without the right progress report template, communicating the status of each status and its larger project can be nearly impossible! That’s what makes the Project Tracker Template by ClickUp so valuable.

With this List template, you can easily group tasks by their current stages using custom task statuses like Getting Ready , Production , and Going Live —with the ability to add more statuses if needed! But that’s not all. This template is packed with four Custom Fields for:

• Project stage
• Project duration (in days)
• RAG (to communicate priorities)
• Date of completion

Plus, you’ll have access to four ready-made workflow views to manage your project progress from every angle, including a highly visual Gantt chart and interactive Kanban board arranged by tasks per assignee.

Meanwhile, anyone taking a look will be able to look at other tasks related to the, plotting out and executing them in a way that makes sense for everyone involved.

Now let’s dig into the specifics by use case—starting with the Campaign Progress Report Template by ClickUp ! There are a ton of variables to consider when running and managing your advertising campaigns. Unlike software development or employee onboarding, cost and real-time performance metrics play a key role throughout the entire campaign. If one element isn’t sitting well with your audience, it’s time to pivot.

This ClickUp Doc template makes those elements simple to maintain with a formatted document to help you choose which project OKRs to monitor, keep an eye on cost, manage revenue, and more. For example, you can quickly visualize how much of your campaign budget has already been spent to date and how much revenue that investment has brought in. You can also display a chart of clicks and conversions to identify any key trends.

Use this template to monitor your campaign’s ad effectiveness and results, both to share with other stakeholders and to make adjustments as needed for maximum ROI.

Videos are some of the most complex projects most marketing and communications teams take on. They require close collaboration between multiple team members, and sometimes months’ worth of planning, execution, and post-production to publish the final product.

That process gets even more complicated when you’re overseeing the production of multiple videos at a time—that’s when the Production Tracking Template by ClickUp comes in handy.

This hefty template applies five custom task statuses, 11 Custom Fields, and six project views to your Workspace. In the default List view, every video is represented as a task that can be organized by its current status. To manage your production schedule, navigate over to your Calendar view for a visual representation of your posting cadence.

And for overall production progress, use your pre-built Board view to see Custom Fields in action. From your Kanban board, you’ll find key information like client approvals, storyboard links, production types, briefs, and additional resources for more context at a glance. This maintains a streamlined overview, while still providing the details needed to get videos finished on time and on spec for publication.

One of the most important HR processes is assessing new employees after the first 30, 60, and 90 days of their employment. The HR Report Template by ClickUp helps you do just that. Use the simple ClickUp Doc to enter employee information, then note where your new hires may require additional training or supervision.

The single-page template includes sections for multiple review periods, allowing you to track progress over time. The result is a more streamlined process to ensure new employees in your organization succeed in their onboarding.

Every project has important decision points at which you need to determine whether current tasks are worth starting, continuing, or need to be stopped. The Start Stop Continue Template by ClickUp helps you keep track of exactly those decisions.

For each area, you can include virtual sticky notes of tasks that need the action described in that section. Over time, you can move those sticky notes around easily as needed. Finally, helpful color coding ensures that it’s always easy to see what your team needs to focus on or stop doing.

Try these stop start continue templates !

Let’s take it to the 30,000-foot view. If you’re starting a business or shipping a new product, key stakeholders need to know basic information about how that launch is going. The Monthly Business Status Report Template by ClickUp helps to simplify the process.

This ClickUp Doc template offers an easy overview of needed scope changes , deliverables, and capacity issues. It also allows you to highlight the work completed in a given month, giving members and stakeholders a window into how the business is performing and what needs to happen next.

For all you spreadsheet traditionalists out there, this free progress report template for Excel is for you. 💜

A cover sheet allows for basic information, including a traffic-light color code system on overall status, scope, budget, and timeline .

From there, you’ll find a more detailed Gantt chart with the individual tasks that led to larger judgment calls. That way, interested stakeholders and team members can stick with the broader overview, or dig into the details as needed.

The Progress Report Template for Microsoft Word helps project managers deliver the status, project summary , budget overview, and risks related to your project at any given time. This template keeps it simple, with easily edited sections to help you paint the picture of your project’s health over time. Plus, it offers the ability to customize its theming to align with your brand.

How to Provide Feedback on Progress Reports

Now that you have progress report templates, let’s talk about how to give (and receive) feedback on progress reports. Here are some tips to make the process as smooth and productive as possible:

1. Provide Concrete Evidence

When giving feedback on progress reports, it’s essential to provide concrete evidence to support your comments. For example, instead of saying “this report is not detailed enough,” provide specific examples of information that may be missing or could benefit from more detail. This helps the recipient understand exactly what needs to be addressed and how.

2. Focus on Solutions

When providing feedback, it’s important to focus on solutions rather than just pointing out problems. Offer suggestions on how to improve the progress report or address any issues that may have been raised.

3. Be Timely

It’s crucial to provide feedback in a timely manner. Waiting too long to share your thoughts may result in the same issues being repeated in future progress reports, which can slow down project progress.

4. Encourage Open Communication

Encourage open communication between team members when discussing progress reports. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and allows for any questions or concerns to be addressed promptly.

5. Acknowledge Effort

Be sure to acknowledge the effort that went into creating the progress report, even if there are areas that need improvement. This motivates team members and shows them that their work is valued.

6. Be Specific

When receiving feedback on your own progress reports, ask for specific examples or suggestions for improvement. This helps you better understand how to enhance future reports and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

7. Be Open to Change

Be open to change and willing to adjust your progress reports based on feedback. Being open to change will improve the overall effectiveness of the report and ensures that it accurately reflects project progress.

Track Success with a Free Progress Report Template

You know the old saying about focusing on progress over perfection? Well at ClickUp, we believe in progress toward perfection—and the right progress report template is the first step in achieving that!

Investing your time in a progress report template is a simple addition to your production workflow that keeps everyone up-to-date about where the project stands. Any of the templates above will start you off on the right foot, especially a customizable template from ClickUp.

Access all of the templates listed above and over 1,000 more from ClickUp’s vast Template Library , plus, hundreds of rich project management features , tons of integrations, and more when you sign up for ClickUp today !

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50 Professional Progress Report Templates (Free)

When you work on a project in school or even a company, you may have to give a progress report on how the project progresses and where you’re presently at. As the name of the progress report template implies, it is a document that explains in a detailed manner how far you have gone towards finishing the project.

• 1 Progress Report Templates
• 2 What is a progress report in project management?
• 3 Project Report Templates
• 4 The importance of a progress report
• 5 Status Reports Templates
• 6 How do you write a progress report?
• 7 Student Progress Report Templates
• 8 How do I write a student progress report?
• 9 Weekly Progress Report Templates

Progress Report Templates

What is a progress report in project management.

A progress report template is a timely update on the progress of a project. This document contains answers to questions that everyone will ask before anyone can ask them. A good progress report sample should be concisely written offering high-level information regarding a project.

One reason why writing progress reports formats is important is that it helps keep the stakeholders and investors in the loop on how the project progresses. When you have a sample progress report, you can expect fewer questions because you’re already ahead of the game. The report shows that you’re on track and this makes everyone feel more confident.

On instances when your project isn’t on track, your progress report sample informs others of the reasons for the delay and what you’re doing to resolve the issues. This demonstrates your proactive approach to making sure that things get back to where they should be.

Project Report Templates

The importance of a progress report.

There may be times when you feel that writing a detailed progress report template is too redundant, especially when you already are in constant communication with everyone involved throughout the course of your project. Even so, a weekly progress report template can be very useful for a number of reasons:

• It ensures that everyone is on the same page Each person gets a copy of the progress report to inform them of the status of the project. This helps prevent confusion on what is already done and whatever is still pending.
• It promotes collaboration This becomes very important when different groups need to work together. When each team knows what the others should do, it helps prevent the risk of redundancy. The report can also help one team find the areas where it could provide assistance or join with other teams.
• It also promotes accountability and transparency Once you have submitted your progress reports formats, you will place on record that you have completed a task or explain why your results differ from what’s expected. The document becomes a part of the project’s official documentation once it’s accepted. The submitted report becomes vital in case someone in the future accuses you of failing to complete a task or not reporting an issue. What you can do is to present the progress report as your proof that you did finish a task. On the flip side, should your project get nominated for an award, validators will request for documents to explain how you accomplished the entire project and your proof comes in the form of your sample progress report.
• It improves the assessment and review of projects The progress report can become a resource document for future projects that your team can evaluate to identify what you did right, what went wrong, and what to improve. Previous progress reports could shed light on systemic loopholes, issues, and other causes of failure or delay that they must resolve or avoid.
• It provides insight for future projects Through your progress report, the project managers can find out what tasks you have accomplished and from there, they can focus on keeping track of the progress towards the next stages of your project. The report also provides information about the occurrences of delays. This could prompt an investigation of the problems that slowed down your progress and the steps to prevent these from happening in the future again. If absolutely necessary, project managers can also adjust the timeline on future projects or instruct the teams to double down as needed.

Status Reports Templates

How do you write a progress report.

Another definition of a progress report is that it’s an executive summary of the progress a person or a team has accomplished on a project over a set period of time. In the report, you can explain the work you have covered, the resources you used, the unexpected issues your project has encountered, the estimated completion time, and other details related to the project.

One of the main purposes of a monthly or weekly progress report template is to give an overview of the project’s overall status report. This gives an opportunity to assess your performance then request some revisions if deemed necessary. The report also informs the recipients of issues that have affected or might affect your project.

Writing a progress report template might not be that easy, especially for beginners. But this is an essential document that you must write as it gives you the opportunity to communicate with everyone else. Here are some steps to guide you when writing this document:

• First, determine the purpose of your progress report. This serves as your guide on how you write your report.
• Writing the header that contains the name of the project, your name and job title, the submission date, and other pertinent information.
• Write an introduction or an overview of the report.
• Write the body of the report that contains the information on what tasks you have completed, the issues you have encountered thus far, and the actions you have taken to solve them.
• Add a couple of details about your future plans for the project. Talk about the tasks you plan to do in the future and the time you need to complete these tasks. If you can, include a forecast on the potential problems you may encounter.
• Come up with a summary of your report that contains the key points you have discussed.
• Finally, review and modify your report as needed. Proofread your document to ensure that there aren’t any errors in it.

Student Progress Report Templates

How do i write a student progress report.

Another progress report is one that you use in the academic setting. The student progress report informs students and parents of a student’s achievements at the time of reporting. Like the business progress report, this provides information on the student’s progress since the previous reporting period.

It also provides an outline of suggested steps that parents and students can take to improve their performance. Here are some pointers to consider when making a student progress report:

• Ease of understanding Make sure that each comment you make can be easily understood by parents. Try using two connected ideas in each sentence to explain the student’s progress .
• Go straight to the point Most of us tend to divert from the topic when writing a report, even including unnecessary information that causes confusion. You only need to inform parents about relevant matters related to their children.
• Avoid using teacher jargon Teacher jargon is something parents don’t want to read. Avoid using teacher jargon when writing your student reports. The information presented should be both precise and clear for parents to understand it.
• Inform parents about the level of achievement of the students Another thing to avoid when writing reports are highly detailed descriptions of the curriculum or a list of all the activities and units you will take up in class. What the parents want to know is how their child performs in relation to the expected achievement levels and the areas in which the child needs improvement.
• Refer to the current performance of the students You should continuously go back to the samples of the child’s work when writing your reports. You can use these examples as evidence to show the individual achievements of the students against the standards or in comparison to other students in the class. Base all of your comments on evidence and prepare to provide examples of the child’s work.
• Don’t leave the progress report to the last minute The collection of data throughout the year is very important when writing reports. With these, you can monitor the progression of each student’s learning while providing a collection of high-quality evidence.
• Use a checklist To avoid the chance of leaving anything out or writing too many details, you may consider using a checklist. This will be an assurance that you have included the achievements of the student, areas that need improvement, what the school does to support the student’s, suggestions on what the parents can do to help their child progress, and new comments with new learning goals
• Prepare the parents At times, you have to write reports that won’t reflect the expectation of parents. For instance, if you know that a child can’t achieve a standard or may require more support to complete tasks, then it will be strongly recommended to interview the parents of such children before giving them their child’s report.
• Get the students involved The writing of reports should have the child’s involvement as much as possible. Get them to set their personal learning goals then assess these goals at the end of the learning period. Help them identify their own strengths and the areas where they need improvement. Include in their reports their individual learning goals and assessments to make them more customized. Doing this gives the students some level of accountability for their learning.

Weekly Progress Report Templates

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• Sample Research

FREE 11+ Research Progress Report Samples in MS Word | PDF

If you are a diligent researcher, it is integral that you are aware about the current status and performance of your research project . But how will you measure and track the condition of your work?  In this article, we have some informative guide and downloadable research progress report templates to guide you in managing and monitoring the progress of your research work. Keep on reading!

Research Progress Report

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A research progress report is a significant document that contains primary aims and objectives for research work., most particularly in project monitoring and accountability. It provides a clear overview of the project goal statement , and demonstrates the progress produced toward the specific objectives. 

Writing a research progress report can feel like you’re in the midst of a vast ocean wandering while being pushed by the waves of uncertainty, thinking if there’s any improvement in your research case study or none. Don’t worry because we give you some easy-to-follow tips  that indicate how to design a report, as well as managing different kinds of stages in writing an effective research project : 

To clearly determine whether you accomplished your research goals and objectives, go back to the preceding week if your research work plan and include some latest information or update you did there in your progress report right now. See if you fulfilled some of your goals in your last work. 

For this week, write some information concerning the status of your research statement study that you’re working on. Describe the specific goals you have achieved, the things you discovered, the struggles you overcame, the challenges that still block your pathway towards research success, new ideas or concepts for research projects, and many more.

Then, after you describe your current progress in your research work, you need to provide a short information on the upcoming week ’s plan sample . Use a bulleted list in writing down the things you achieved or did not. Try your best to be realistic as you establish goals and objectives that are direct and measurable. Plus, include longer-term goals in the list. 

Last but not the least, you should create a meeting agenda so that you will inform your research people and team whom you have chosen for specific tasks that they need to accomplish for the research project and make some necessary progress in their work. 

The format of the research report includes a sample list of main sections and  that has page numbers, tables, illustrations, reference list, and appendices. Also, it has an abstract that shows a summary of goals, methods, results, and conclusions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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A research progress report should include the title, name of advisor, advisory committee members, specific date, abstract, etc. 

The three format types of a progress report are memo, sample letter or email, and formal report.

To create a daily progress report , you need to identify the main purpose and the nature of the daily progress report. Classify the organization or business firm’s selected type of reporting. Include some visual representations such as charts, graphs, tables, and diagrams. Keep in mind that your report should remain on topic or concept.

Therefore, writing a progress report for your research work is a valuable step in becoming productive and organized. Plus, having a complete record of your progress reports can be helpful in the future. It also allows you to take a new perspective as you look outside your research project and analyze the methods and steps you’re doing, helping you to be free and accept additional avenues to seek. Thus, here are some of our downloadable and printable report samples available in different kinds of formats. Simply click the templates in this article and start downloading now!

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Report Examples With Sample Templates [To Edit and Download]

Written by: Orana Velarde

Looking for report examples? You’ve probably noticed in your search that there many different kinds.

It can get a little confusing if you don’t know exactly what report example you’re looking for. Don’t worry, we can help.

But first, what is a report anyway?

A report is a document that details a specific set of information about any number of topics. It’s a compilation of data and facts put together to show or explain to someone or a group of people.

This definition of a report applies to both businesses and schools. 

When a teacher or student thinks of the term "report," they think:

• Book Report
• Progress Report
• Report Card
• Science Experiment Report

Businesspeople, on the other hand, think of:

• Sales Reports
• Marketing Reports
• Progress Reports
• Social Media Reports
• Market Research Reports
• Weekly Reports
• Monthly Reports
• Annual Reports
• And many more...

If you think about it though, all the reports above fit under the same description. It’s just the environment where it’s produced and presented that’s different.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the most common report examples in both education and business.

And to help you out, here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit report templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

1 Progress Report Examples

A progress report is a business report shows how a specific project or plan is progressing. It shows and visualizes a variety of the following things:

• If goals are being met or not
• When a specific task needs to be either repeated or discarded
• A timeframe of task completed and results
• New or adjusted goals created with data from the ongoing process

Good visualization tools for progress reports include comparison widgets showing the goal against what was achieved. 

Another type of progress report is for school-aged children. Teachers put together progress reports and report cards of what they learn in class throughout the year.

Below is a Visme template for a preschool progress report. Teachers can print this out , make copies and send home with the kids. Alternatively, and as a way to save paper, they can fill it in digitally and send the parents a link to the report published online.

Working on multiple progress reports can be nerve-wracking. But with Visme’s Dynamic Fields , you can easily update information throughout your reports from a single source.

Customize this progress report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

2 Sales Report Examples

A sales report showcases the results of a sales campaign. These are presented by the sales team to the stakeholders of a company or the other teams like marketing and content marketing. It’s usually presented at the end of a campaign, otherwise it would be a sales progress report.

Sales reports are improved with data visualizations like line charts, bar charts and histograms. These can be presented as live reports , presentation slides, like an infographic or even a document. 

The sales report sample template below comes with enough slides with charts to get your data organized nicely. Using the Visme editor, add slides in between the sample template slides to add explanatory content if necessary.

Take advantage of Visme analytics to see how your report is performing. You can monitor key metrics like views, unique visits, average time, average completion and more.

Customize this sales report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

3 Market Research Report Examples

A market research report is all about showing the results of a market research audit . The main idea is to describe the competitors, the ideal client, the current atmosphere in the market and ideas on how to implement a successful marketing strategy.

This reporting example uses visualizations like pie charts , maps, percentage widgets and regular visuals like photography or illustration. 

Customize this market research report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Learn more about how to visualize statistics in your reports by watching this video.

4 “The State Of” Report Examples

Similar to market research reports, this type of report can be about any topic whatsoever. The research will go in-depth, with surveys and studies that show trends and statistics that are then visualized and presented. 

The similarity between these reports is their title, it always starts with “The State Of”. For example, SlackHQ released the State of Work Report this year while other companies do the same for other topics.

The Visme sample template below was created as a State of the Ecommerce Fashion Industry but can easily be customized for your needs.

Customize this report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

5 Weekly / Monthly / Quarterly Report Examples

Similar to daily progress reports , weekly, monthly and quarterly reports are constants in a business setting. They’re usually more generalized than a progress report, which is about a specific project.

Weekly and monthly reports are sometimes condensed sections of different analytics reports put together into one document. Other times it can be a live dashboard that shows each week’s or month’s activity. 

The sample template below is a monthly report for sustainable development. It’s in document format, which you can print or share as a PDF. With a few clicks, you can share your reports with superiors or team members or publish them on the web. 

Customize this monthly report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

6 Annual Report Examples

An annual report is the cumulative data about a company for an entire year. These reports are much larger than others because they have a lot more information. Many companies create beautifully designed annual reports to show off their data. 

Annual reports come in all shapes and sizes. Like printed books, as slide presentations, as scrollable infographics or even entire websites . With Visme, you can create many different types of annual reports easily.

The sample annual report template below is a slide presentation.

Customize this annual report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

This sample template is in document format.

7 Forecast Report Examples

Another business-minded report is the forecast report. This type of report is similar to the “state of the” report but instead of being about the present, it’s about the future. 

Many well-established companies create forecast reports because they are trendsetters and want to stay ahead of other companies in the industry.

Such is the case for The Pantone Institute. They publish color trend forecast reports every year, and for seasons and themes as well.

If you publish a forecast report to set yourself up as an influential entity in your niche, it’s best to promote it and share it as much as possible. Also, be sure that what you’re presenting as a forecast has good informational backing it, and you aren’t just making it up.

The sample report below is a document format forecast report for a tech company.

Customize this forecast report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

8 Book Report Examples

In the educational aspect, reports are a little different. A book report, for example, is meant to show that a student has read a book and can give a summary of it to the class and the teacher. 

There doesn’t tend to be much data visualization involved, but graphic organizers can help add visuals to the written content.

Book reports can be set up as presentations or as printed PDFs . It really depends on the teacher and what they assign to the student.

The Visme template below is a book report slide presentation ready to customize with the information the student gathered from the book. 

Customize this book report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

9 Scientific Finding Report Examples

Scientific finding reports can be used in the classroom as a way to teach students about the scientific method and how to present the findings. 

In a more professional scenario, scientists and researchers will create these types of reports to show their superiors or the people funding their work.

These reporting examples are generally full of data visualizations, along with photographs of the experiments – if there were any – as they progress. In some cases, there can be illustrations and video embedded into the report to add extra visuals.

The reporting example below is a study about stress in the workplace. It’s not a detailed visualization of microbes in a lab, but the report writing format is the same.

10 Analysis Report Examples

Here’s another standout example of report template. An analysis report in school is mostly used in Literature classes. The main idea is to analyze a book or a group of books and analyze them. This can be done with one analysis term or in a more general sense. 

This type of report works well with graphic organizers instead of data visualizations.

An analysis report can also be considered a visual analytical essay because it follows the same format. There must be a main idea and thesis to begin with. The content must then reinforce or counter the thesis.

The sample report below is about the idea that going to university isn’t for everyone. The slides are in a modern creative style and will look great with any content.

Customize this analysis report template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Which Report Example is Right for You?

Now that you’ve seen all the different report examples and what each one is used for, it’s time to create your own ! Put together all your content, data and notes, and get ready to make it all look amazing. 

Open up your Visme dashboard or simply click on any of the examples of templates in this post to get started. If you need more images, you can find plenty inside the Visme library. If you want to add data visualizations, just use the graph engine !

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• Produce beautiful, effective marketing content quickly even without an extensive design skillset
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Bookmark this post and you’ll never have to wonder about report examples again, then check out our video below to learn even more about how Visme makes document design easy.

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About the Author

Orana is a multi-faceted creative. She is a content writer, artist, and designer. She travels the world with her family and is currently in Istanbul. Find out more about her work at oranavelarde.com

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A research progress report is actually what it seems like – an archive that clarifies in detail how far you’ve gone towards the fruition of a task. It plots the exercises you’ve done, the assignments you’ve finished, and the achievements you’ve arrived at versus your task plan .

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How to Write a Research Proposal: (with Examples & Templates)

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Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.  

Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.  

This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.  

What is a Research Proposal ?  

A research proposal¹ ,²  can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.   

With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.  

Purpose of Research Proposals  

A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.  

Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³  

• To describe the importance of research in the specific topic  
• Address any potential challenges you may encounter  
• Showcase knowledge in the field and your ability to conduct a study  
• Apply for a role at a research institute  
• Convince a research supervisor or university that your research can satisfy the requirements of a degree program  
• Highlight the importance of your research to organizations that may sponsor your project  
• Identify implications of your project and how it can benefit the audience  

What Goes in a Research Proposal?    

Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.  

The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.  

The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.  

The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.   

Research Proposal Example  

Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.  

Structure of a Research Proposal  

If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹  

1. Introduction  

This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.  

2. Literature review  

This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.  

3. Objectives  

Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.  

4. Research design and methodology  

Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.  

5. Ethical considerations  

This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.  

6. Budget/funding  

Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.  

7. Appendices  

This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.  

8. Citations  

Important Tips for Writing a Research Proposal  

Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5  

The Planning Stage  

• Manage your time efficiently. Plan to have the draft version ready at least two weeks before your deadline and the final version at least two to three days before the deadline.
• What is the primary objective of your research?  
• Will your research address any existing gap?  
• What is the impact of your proposed research?  
• Do people outside your field find your research applicable in other areas?  
• If your research is unsuccessful, would there still be other useful research outcomes?  

  The Writing Stage  

• Create an outline with main section headings that are typically used.  
• Focus only on writing and getting your points across without worrying about the format of the research proposal , grammar, punctuation, etc. These can be fixed during the subsequent passes. Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning.   
• Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages.  
• Don’t use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.  
• Ensure that the entire content is readable. Avoid using long paragraphs because they affect the continuity in reading. Break them into shorter paragraphs and introduce some white space for readability.  
• Focus on only the major research issues and cite sources accordingly. Don’t include generic information or their sources in the literature review.  
• Proofread your final document to ensure there are no grammatical errors so readers can enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted read.  
• Use academic, scholarly language because it brings formality into a document.  
• Ensure that your title is created using the keywords in the document and is neither too long and specific nor too short and general.  
• Cite all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.  
• Make sure that you follow guidelines, if provided. This includes rules as simple as using a specific font or a hyphen or en dash between numerical ranges.  
• Ensure that you’ve answered all questions requested by the evaluating authority.  

Key Takeaways   

Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:  

• A research proposal is a document that outlines the details of a proposed study and is created by researchers to submit to evaluators who could be research institutions, universities, faculty, etc.  
• Research proposals are usually about 2,000-4,000 words long, but this depends on the evaluating authority’s guidelines.  
• A good research proposal ensures that you’ve done your background research and assessed the feasibility of the research.  
• Research proposals have the following main sections—introduction, literature review, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?  

A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6  

• Significance —Does the research address any important subject or issue, which may or may not be specific to the evaluator or university?  
• Content and design —Is the proposed methodology appropriate to answer the research question? Are the objectives clear and well aligned with the proposed methodology?  
• Sample size and selection —Is the target population or cohort size clearly mentioned? Is the sampling process used to select participants randomized, appropriate, and free of bias?  
• Timing —Are the proposed data collection dates mentioned clearly? Is the project feasible given the specified resources and timeline?  
• Data management and dissemination —Who will have access to the data? What is the plan for data analysis?  

Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?  

A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.  

Q3. How long should a research proposal be?  

A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.  

Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?  

A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7  

• No clear objectives: Objectives should be clear, specific, and measurable for the easy understanding among readers.  
• Incomplete or unconvincing background research: Background research usually includes a review of the current scenario of the particular industry and also a review of the previous literature on the subject. This helps readers understand your reasons for undertaking this research because you identified gaps in the existing research.  
• Overlooking project feasibility: The project scope and estimates should be realistic considering the resources and time available.   
• Neglecting the impact and significance of the study: In a research proposal , readers and evaluators look for the implications or significance of your research and how it contributes to the existing research. This information should always be included.  
• Unstructured format of a research proposal : A well-structured document gives confidence to evaluators that you have read the guidelines carefully and are well organized in your approach, consequently affirming that you will be able to undertake the research as mentioned in your proposal.  
• Ineffective writing style: The language used should be formal and grammatically correct. If required, editors could be consulted, including AI-based tools such as Paperpal , to refine the research proposal structure and language.  

Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.  

This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.  

References  

• Sudheesh K, Duggappa DR, Nethra SS. How to write a research proposal? Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(9):631-634. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/  
• Writing research proposals. Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Harvard University. Accessed July 14, 2024. https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/essays/research-proposals  
• What is a research proposal? Plus how to write one. Indeed website. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/research-proposal  
• Research proposal template. University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/pediatrics/research/documents/Research-proposal-Template.pdf  
• Tips for successful proposal writing. Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://research.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Tips-for-Successful-Proposal-Writing.pdf  
• Formal review of research proposals. Cornell University. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/surveys/survey-assessment-review-group/research-proposals  
• 7 Mistakes you must avoid in your research proposal. Aveksana (via LinkedIn). Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-mistakes-you-must-avoid-your-research-proposal-aveksana-cmtwf/  

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Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

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Work in Progress (WIP) Report in Construction (Template Included)

General contractors strive to maintain each job’s profit margin, so it makes sense that the construction project will be monitored closely to ensure it’s progressing as planned. A work-in-progress (WIP) report is one of the tools used to track the budget.

To understand what a WIP report is, we’ll first look at what work in progress is in construction, define the WIP report and how to make one, and then list the components of a thorough WIP report. To show why the WIP report is so important, we’ll highlight the key benefits of using one. We’ll even add a free WIP report template to get started.

What Is Work in Progress in Construction?

Work in progress is an accounting technique that looks at the value of the work that has been completed, but has yet to be invoiced. WIP is important because it helps a general contractor understand the project’s profitability at that point in its life cycle. This is especially true for projects that are behind or even ahead of schedule or labor costs.

This is an essential part of managing a construction project as it helps the general contractor calculate the progress of all ongoing work, allowing them to see what’s done and what’s outstanding. This then informs how the budget is managed and will be used to generate reports to track the percentage complete of the construction project .

For example, if the WIP report shows that a project is half completed, but 75 percent of the budget has been spent, it’s clear that the whole project will come in over budget. This will eat into a general contractor’s profit margin. Having this knowledge while still executing the project means that actions can be taken to get the project back on track, either by adjusting the schedule or the project scope.

Project management software has features that help general contractors track costs to help them keep to their budgets. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has secure timesheets to not only streamline payroll but provide a window into labor costs. General contractors can generate timesheet reports to track time spent on tasks in real time and control labor costs. Construction crews can log hours on the job site, which means that general contractors are always viewing the most current data. Then they can use our color-coded workload charts to view team allocation and balance the workload, keeping everyone working at capacity, without eroding morale and maintaining productivity. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

What Is a WIP Report?

A WIP report, an abbreviation of a work-in-progress report, is the tool general contractors use to monitor costs. It allows them to see what percentage of the project has been completed and how much of the budget has been spent. This provides valuable insight into whether the project is keeping to its budget .

This financial document can also help construction companies better understand their performance on contracts, identify problems and report to lenders and bankers. The WIP report allows general contractors to see if the project has been over- or underbilled to track the payment schedule . Overbilling is charging more than needed for the work completed. Underbilling is when general contractors bill for less than what was earned for the work completed to date. The former positively impacts cash flow, while the latter creates negative cash flow.

When to Make a WIP Report

A WIP report should be generated throughout the project. It typically starts at the beginning of the project and this first report gives the general contractor an idea of how much the project will need. However, once isn’t enough. Projects move swiftly and can quickly become off track. The WIP report should be updated regularly throughout the project’s life cycle so the general contractor has an eye on its schedule and budget to keep the project on track.

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Construction WIP Report Template

Use this free Construction WIP Report Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

What Should Be Included in a Construction WIP Report?

For a WIP report to be effective, it must capture various components that will give it the accounting foundation for financial transparency, which provides valuable insights into the construction project. Let’s review those key elements to produce a thorough WIP report.

• Contract Value: The amount of money that will be paid to a contractor, based on the bid that was submitted to get awarded a construction project contract.
• Estimated Project Cost: The total amount for all the costs that the contractor will cover as the construction project is built.
• Estimated Profit: The difference between the contract value and the estimated project costs, or in other words, the profit that the contractor will make.
• Cost to Date: The costs that have been paid to date for the completion of project tasks.
• Percentage of Completion: A WIP report calculates the percentage of completion of a project based on the total costs that have been incurred to date and compares those to the total estimated cost for the project.
• Profit to Date: The profit a contractor should have made at any point of a project. It’s calculated by multiplying the estimated profit value by the percentage of completion of the project.
• Amount Earned: The total amount of money that should have been given to the contractor based on the percentage completion of the project. It should include its profit to date and project costs. It can be calculated by multiplying the contract value by the percentage of completion.
• Amount Billed: The sum of money the project client has been billed for to date. This value helps contractors use the WIP report to determine whether the project is currently over or under-billed.
• Cost to Complete: The remaining costs to be paid for the completion of the project. It’s the difference between the estimated cost of the project and the cost to date.
• Over or Under Billing: The WIP report allows contractors to determine whether they haven’t billed the project client correctly for the tasks that have been completed, or if on the contrary, they have billed for work that hasn’t been completed.

Benefits of Using WIP Reports

Any report that helps general contractors ensure that they’re meeting the requirements of the project contract is important. However, a WIP is more than a tool to navigate construction contracts . It’s a tool that helps in construction management.

First and foremost, it ensures financial accuracy. It provides a systemic approach to tracking project-related revenues and costs. This leads to more accurate financial reporting. It also helps by being a more effective way to recognize revenue. By showing the percentage of completion and tracking earned revenue based on project progress, companies get a more accurate picture of their financial performance.

WIP reports can also help cost management and control. They provide insightful data into the actual project costs by monitoring the spending and identifying cost overruns that can be addressed before threatening the project’s profitability. Construction projects are notoriously unpredictable with cost fluctuations, which makes the WIP report so important.

This leads to greater billing accuracy and contractual compliance. The WIP report helps make sure that invoicing clients align with the actual work that has been done. This reduces the risk of billing disputes and ensures that contractual obligations are met. The WIP report can also identify overbilling and underbilling, which helps with managing cash flow efficiently.

Another benefit of WIP reports is that they act as another tool to monitor the project, identify issues and help with decision-making. They provide a snapshot of the project’s progress, which can help the general manager make decisions about resource allocation , project prioritization and strategic planning while keeping stakeholders informed.

The WIP report is also important for risk management as regular assessments of the project’s financial performance can identify risks, such as cost overruns, schedule delays or scope changes that can impact the profit margins of the project. They also provide transparency and accountability to the project by providing clear breakdowns of project finances, which benefits stakeholders.

WIP Report Template

To reap the benefits of a WIP report, download this free WIP report template for Excel. It will provide accounting for construction projects, tracking costs and revenues throughout the project.

The free template is built to capture all the vital information necessary to track costs compared to the project contract and budget, across multiple projects. It’s also fully customizable, allowing users to download and edit as needed to align with their accounting.

Free Related Construction Project Management Templates

The WIP report template is only one of over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that users can download from our site immediately to help manage every project phase across industries such as construction, manufacturing, professional services, IT and more. Below are three three construction management templates .

Project Budget Template

Before being able to monitor costs, a project must have a budget. Use this free project budget template for Excel to create an accurate project budget. The free template has columns to estimate labor, material and other costs, which can then be tracked by the budgeted and actual columns.

Scope of Work Template

The scope of work is a document that captures what a project covers and what it doesn’t cover. Use our free scope of work template for Word to collect all this information, from project deliverables, timelines and milestones to project exclusions and more.

Project Progress Report Template

The WIP report is not the only tool a general contractor has to monitor progress. Use this free project progress report template for Word to compare a project’s actual progress against its planned progress.

How to Manage Construction Projects With ProjectManager

Construction projects might be able to run on templates, but no one is going to recommend it. Templates serve a purpose, mainly to push a person to upgrade to project management software. That’s because templates can only do so much. They’re static documents that pull one away from their work to manually update them. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software for construction that has resource management and secure timesheets to track labor costs and keep teams working productively. There are also features to plan and monitor projects in real time.

Make Construction Schedules With Online Gantt Charts

To set up a construction project to succeed, first, a realistic schedule has to be created. Using our robust Gantt charts , general contractors can organize tasks, resources and costs, but also link all four types of task dependencies to avoid costly delays. They can also filter for the critical path and identify the essential tasks that must be completed to deliver the project successfully.

Once the schedule is in place, set a baseline to capture the construction plan and compare it to actual progress and costs to ensure that the project stays on schedule and within its budget. Plans are shared across multiple project views and updated in real time to let general contractors monitor progress and costs.

Monitor Project Progress In Real Time

While a WIP report is a great tool to monitor project progress and costs, it is far from the only one. General contractors only need to toggle over to the real-time project or portfolio management dashboard to get a high-level overview of time, cost, workload and more. This live data is collected automatically and displayed on easy-to-read graphs and charts for an instant status report.

For more detailed information, use the customizable reports, such as status or portfolio reports, variance, timesheets or workload reports, to name a few. These reports can all be filtered to show the details general contractors need to see or the more general information that can be shared with stakeholders.

Related Construction Project Management Content

Looking for more information on construction project management. This is the right place. We’re an online hub for project management with weekly blogs, ebooks, guides and free templates that help manage every project phase across multiple industries. Below are a handful of recent construction project management posts.

• Construction Reporting: Types of Construction Reports
• 32 Construction Documents (Templates Included)
• The Construction Resource Management Process Explained
• Why Use a Gantt Chart in Construction Project Management
• Construction Site Management: A Guide to Site Inspection

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, out in the field or anywhere else in the world. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

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The biggest data breaches in 2024: 1 billion stolen records and rising

Thanks to unitedhealth, snowflake and at&t (twice).

We’re over halfway through 2024, and already this year we have seen some of the biggest, most damaging data breaches in recent history. And just when you think that some of these hacks can’t get any worse, they do.

From huge stores of customers’ personal information getting scraped, stolen and posted online, to reams of medical data covering most people in the United States getting stolen, the worst data breaches of 2024 to date have already surpassed at least 1 billion stolen records and rising. These breaches not only affect the individuals whose data was irretrievably exposed, but also embolden the criminals who profit from their malicious cyberattacks.

Travel with us to the not-so-distant past to look at how some of the biggest security incidents of 2024 went down, their impact and. in some cases, how they could have been stopped. 

AT&T’s data breaches affect “nearly all” of its customers, and many more non-customers

For AT&T, 2024 has been a very bad year for data security. The telecoms giant confirmed not one, but two separate data breaches just months apart.

In July, AT&T said cybercriminals had stolen a cache of data that contained phone numbers and call records of “nearly all” of its customers, or around 110 million people , over a six-month period in 2022 and in some cases longer. The data wasn’t stolen directly from AT&T’s systems, but from an account it had with data giant Snowflake (more on that later).

Although the stolen AT&T data isn’t public (and one report suggests AT&T paid a ransom for the hackers to delete the stolen data ) and the data itself does not contain the contents of calls or text messages, the “metadata” still reveals who called who and when, and in some cases the data can be used to infer approximate locations. Worse, the data includes phone numbers of non-customers who were called by AT&T customers during that time. That data becoming public could be dangerous for higher-risk individuals , such as domestic abuse survivors.

That was AT&T’s second data breach this year. Earlier in March, a data breach broker dumped online a full cache of 73 million customer records to a known cybercrime forum for anyone to see, some three years after a much smaller sample was teased online.

The published data included customers’ personal information, including names, phone numbers and postal addresses, with some customers confirming their data was accurate . 

But it wasn’t until a security researcher discovered that the exposed data contained encrypted passcodes used for accessing a customer’s AT&T account that the telecoms giant took action. The security researcher told TechCrunch at the time that the encrypted passcodes could be easily unscrambled, putting some 7.6 million existing AT&T customer accounts at risk of hijacks. AT&T force-reset its customers’ account passcodes after TechCrunch alerted the company to the researcher’s findings. 

One big mystery remains: AT&T still doesn’t know how the data leaked or where it came from . 

Change Healthcare hackers stole medical data on “substantial proportion” of people in America

In 2022, the U.S. Justice Department sued health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group to block its attempted acquisition of health tech giant Change Healthcare, fearing that the deal would give the healthcare conglomerate broad access to about “half of all Americans’ health insurance claims” each year. The bid to block the deal ultimately failed. Then, two years later, something far worse happened: Change Healthcare was hacked by a prolific ransomware gang; its almighty banks of sensitive health data were stolen because one of the company’s critical systems was not protected with multi-factor authentication .

The lengthy downtime caused by the cyberattack dragged on for weeks, causing widespread outages at hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare practices across the United States. But the aftermath of the data breach has yet to be fully realized, though the consequences for those affected are likely to be irreversible. UnitedHealth says the stolen data — which it paid the hackers to obtain a copy — includes the personal, medical and billing information on a “substantial proportion” of people in the United States. 

UnitedHealth has yet to attach a number to how many individuals were affected by the breach. The health giant’s chief executive, Andrew Witty, told lawmakers that the breach may affect around one-third of Americans , and potentially more. For now, it’s a question of just how many hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. are affected. 

Synnovis ransomware attack sparked widespread outages at hospitals across London 

A June cyberattack on U.K. pathology lab Synnovis — a blood and tissue testing lab for hospitals and health services across the U.K. capital — caused ongoing widespread disruption to patient services for weeks. The local National Health Service trusts that rely on the lab postponed thousands of operations and procedures following the hack, prompting the declaration of a critical incident across the U.K. health sector.

A Russia-based ransomware gang was blamed for the cyberattack, which saw the theft of data related to some 300 million patient interactions dating back a “significant number” of years. Much like the data breach at Change Healthcare, the ramifications for those affected are likely to be significant and life-lasting. 

Some of the data was already published online in an effort to extort the lab into paying a ransom. Synnovis reportedly refused to pay the hackers’ $50 million ransom , preventing the gang from profiting from the hack but leaving the U.K. government scrambling for a plan in case the hackers posted millions of health records online. 

One of the NHS trusts that runs five hospitals across London affected by the outages reportedly failed to meet the data security standards as required by the U.K. health service in the years that ran up to the June cyberattack on Synnovis.

Ticketmaster had an alleged 560 million records stolen in the Snowflake hack

A series of data thefts from cloud data giant Snowflake quickly snowballed into one of the biggest breaches of the year, thanks to the vast amounts of data stolen from its corporate customers. 

Cybercriminals swiped hundreds of millions of customer data from some of the world’s biggest companies — including an alleged 560 million records from Ticketmaster , 79 million records from Advance Auto Parts and some 30 million records from TEG — by using stolen credentials of data engineers with access to their employer’s Snowflake environments. For its part, Snowflake does not require (or enforce) its customers to use the security feature, which protects against intrusions that rely on stolen or reused passwords. 

Incident response firm Mandiant said around 165 Snowflake customers had data stolen from their accounts, in some cases a “significant volume of customer data.” Only a handful of the 165 companies have so far confirmed their environments were compromised, which also includes tens of thousands of employee records from Neiman Marcus and Santander Bank , and millions of records of students at Los Angeles Unified School District . Expect many Snowflake customers to come forward. 

(Dis)honorable mentions

Cencora notifies over a million and counting that it lost their data:

U.S. pharma giant Cencora disclosed a February data breach involving the compromise of patients’ health data, information that Cencora obtained through its partnerships with drug makers. Cencora has steadfastly refused to say how many people are affected, but a count by TechCrunch shows well over a million people have been notified so far. Cencora says it’s served more than 18 million patients to date. 

MediSecure data breach affects half of Australia:

Close to 13 million people in Australia — roughly half of the country’s population — had personal and health data stolen in a ransomware attack on prescriptions provider MediSecure in April. MediSecure, which distributed prescriptions for most Australians until late 2023, declared insolvency soon after the mass theft of customer data.

Kaiser shared health data on millions of patients with advertisers:

U.S. health insurance giant Kaiser disclosed a data breach in April after inadvertently sharing the private health information of 13.4 million patients, specifically website search terms about diagnoses and medications, with tech companies and advertisers. Kaiser said it used their tracking code for website analytics. The health insurance provider disclosed the incident in the wake of several  other telehealth startups, like Cerebral , Monument and Tempest , admitting they too shared data with advertisers.

USPS shared postal address with tech giants, too:

And then it was the turn of the U.S. Postal Service caught sharing postal addresses of logged-in users with advertisers like Meta, LinkedIn and Snap, using a similar tracking code provided by the companies. USPS removed the tracking code from its website after TechCrunch notified the postal service in July of the improper data sharing, but the agency wouldn’t say how many individuals had data collected. USPS has over 62 million Informed Delivery users as of March 2024.

Evolve Bank data breach affected fintech and startup customers:

A ransomware attack targeting Evolve Bank saw the personal information of more than 7.6 million people stolen by cybercriminals in July. Evolve is a banking-as-a-service giant serving mostly fintech companies and startups , like Affirm and Mercury. As a result, many of the individuals notified of the data breach had never heard of Evolve Bank, let alone have a relationship with the firm, prior to its cyberattack.

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