how to report research project

How to Write a Research Proposal Paper

Table of Contents

What is a research proposal paper, why write a research proposal paper.

• How to Plan a Research Proposal Paper

Components of a Research Proposal Paper

Research proposal examples, help & additional resources, this resource page will help you:.

• Learn what a research proposal paper is.  
• Understand the importance of writing a research proposal paper. 
• Understand the steps in the planning stages of a research proposal paper.  
• Identify the components of a research proposal paper.  

A research proposal paper:   

• includes sufficient information about a research study that you propose to conduct for your thesis (e.g., in an MT, MA, or Ph.D. program) or that you imagine conducting (e.g., in an MEd program). It should help your readers understand the scope, validity, and significance of your proposed study.  
• may be a stand-alone paper or one part of a larger research project, depending on the nature of your assignment. 
• typically follows the citation format of your field, which at OISE is APA .    

Your instructor will provide you with assignment details that can help you determine how much information to include in your research proposal, so you should carefully check your course outline and assignment instructions.  

Writing a research proposal allows you to  

• develop skills in designing a comprehensive research study; 

learn how to identify a research problem that can contribute to advancing knowledge in your field of interest; 

further develop skills in finding foundational and relevant literature related to your topic; 

critically review, examine, and consider the use of different methods for gathering and analyzing data related to the research problem;  

see yourself as an active participant in conducting research in your field of study. 

Writing a research proposal paper can help clarify questions you may have before designing your research study. It is helpful to get feedback on your research proposal and edit your work to be able to see what you may need to change in your proposal. The more diverse opinions you receive on your proposal, the better prepared you will be to design a comprehensive research study. 

How to Plan your Research Proposal

Before starting your research proposal, you should clarify your ideas and make a plan. Ask yourself these questions and take notes:  

What do I want to study? 

Why is the topic important? Why is it important to me? 

How is the topic significant within the subject areas covered in my class? 

What problems will it help solve? 

How does it build on research already conducted on the topic? 

What exactly should I plan to do to conduct a study on the topic? 

It may be helpful to write down your answers to these questions and use them to tell a story about your chosen topic to your classmates or instructor. As you tell your story, write down comments or questions from your listeners. This will help you refine your proposal and research questions. 

This is an example of how to start planning and thinking about your research proposal assignment. You will find a student’s notes and ideas about their research proposal topic - "Perspectives on Textual Production, Student Collaboration, and Social Networking Sites”. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page: 

A research proposal paper typically includes: 

• an introduction  
• a theoretical framework 
• a literature review 
• the methodology  
• the implications of the proposed study and conclusion 
• references 

Start your introduction by giving the reader an overview of your study. Include:  

• the research context (in what educational settings do you plan to conduct this study?) 
• the research problem, purpose (What do you want to achieve by conducting this study?) 
• a brief overview of the literature on your topic and the gap your study hopes to fill 
•  research questions and sub-questions 
• a brief mention of your research method (How do you plan to collect and analyze your data?) 
• your personal interest in the topic. 

 Conclude your introduction by giving your reader a roadmap of your proposal. 

 To learn more about paper introductions, check How to write Introductions .  

A theoretical framework refers to the theories that you will use to interpret both your own data and the literature that has come before. Think about theories as lenses that help you look at your data from different perspectives, beyond just your own personal perspective. Think about the theories that you have come across in your courses or readings that could apply to your research topic. When writing the theoretical framework, include 

• A description of where the theories come from (original thinkers), their key components, and how they have developed over time. 
• How you plan to use the theories in your study / how they apply to your topic. 

The literature review section should help you identify topics or issues that will help contextualize what the research has/hasn’t found and discussed on the topic so far and convince your reader that your proposed study is important. This is where you can go into more detail on the gap that your study hopes to fill. Ultimately, a good literature review helps your reader learn more about the topic that you have chosen to study and what still needs to be researched 

To learn more about literature reviews check What is a Literature Review . 

The methods section should briefly explain how you plan to conduct your study and why you have chosen a particular method. You may also include  

• your overall study design (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods) and the proposed stages 
• your proposed research instruments (e.g. surveys, interviews)  
• your proposed participant recruitment channels / document selection criteria 
• a description of your proposed study participants (age, gender, etc.). 
• how you plan to analyze the data.  

You should cite relevant literature on research methods to support your choices. 

The conclusion section should include a short summary about the implications and significance of your proposed study by explaining how the possible findings may change the ways educators and/or stakeholders address the issues identified in your introduction. 

Depending on the assignment instructions, the conclusion can also highlight next steps and a timeline for the research process. 

To learn more about paper conclusions, check How to write Conclusions . 

List all references you used and format them according to APA style. Make sure that everything in your reference list is cited in the paper, and every citation in your paper is in your reference list.  

To learn more about writing citations and references, check Citations & APA . 

These are detailed guidelines on how to prepare a quantitative research proposal. Adapted from the course APD2293 “Interpretation of Educational Research”. These guidelines are hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:  

Related Resource Pages on ASH

• What is a Literature Review?
• How to Prepare a Literature Review
• How to Understand & Plan Assignments
• Citations and APA Style
• How to Integrate Others' Research into your Writing
• How to Write Introductions
• How to Write Conclusions

Additional Resources

• Writing a research proposal– University of Southern California   
• Owl Purdue-Graduate-Specific Genres-Purdue University  
• 10 Tips for Writing a research proposal – McGill University  

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How to do a research project for your academic study

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Writing a research report is part of most university degrees, so it is essential you know what one is and how to write one. This guide on how to do a research project for your university degree shows you what to do at each stage, taking you from planning to finishing the project.

What is a research project? 

The big question is: what is a research project? A research project for students is an extended essay that presents a question or statement for analysis and evaluation. During a research project, you will present your own ideas and research on a subject alongside analysing existing knowledge. 

How to write a research report 

The next section covers the research project steps necessary to producing a research paper. 

Developing a research question or statement 

Research project topics will vary depending on the course you study. The best research project ideas develop from areas you already have an interest in and where you have existing knowledge. 

The area of study needs to be specific as it will be much easier to cover fully. If your topic is too broad, you are at risk of not having an in-depth project. You can, however, also make your topic too narrow and there will not be enough research to be done. To make sure you don’t run into either of these problems, it’s a great idea to create sub-topics and questions to ensure you are able to complete suitable research. 

A research project example question would be: How will modern technologies change the way of teaching in the future? 

Finding and evaluating sources 

Secondary research is a large part of your research project as it makes up the literature review section. It is essential to use credible sources as failing to do so may decrease the validity of your research project.

Examples of secondary research include:

• Peer-reviewed journals
• Scholarly articles
• Newspapers 

Great places to find your sources are the University library and Google Scholar. Both will give you many opportunities to find the credible sources you need. However, you need to make sure you are evaluating whether they are fit for purpose before including them in your research project as you do not want to include out of date information. 

When evaluating sources, you need to ask yourself:

• Is the information provided by an expert?
• How well does the source answer the research question?
• What does the source contribute to its field?
• Is the source valid? e.g. does it contain bias and is the information up-to-date?

It is important to ensure that you have a variety of sources in order to avoid bias. A successful research paper will present more than one point of view and the best way to do this is to not rely too heavily on just one author or publication. 

Conducting research 

For a research project, you will need to conduct primary research. This is the original research you will gather to further develop your research project. The most common types of primary research are interviews and surveys as these allow for many and varied results. 

Examples of primary research include: 

• Interviews and surveys 
• Focus groups 
• Experiments 
• Research diaries 

If you are looking to study in the UK and have an interest in bettering your research skills, The University of Sheffield is a  world top 100 research university  which will provide great research opportunities and resources for your project. 

Research report format  

Now that you understand the basics of how to write a research project, you now need to look at what goes into each section. The research project format is just as important as the research itself. Without a clear structure you will not be able to present your findings concisely. 

A research paper is made up of seven sections: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and results, discussion, conclusion, and references. You need to make sure you are including a list of correctly cited references to avoid accusations of plagiarism. 

Introduction 

The introduction is where you will present your hypothesis and provide context for why you are doing the project. Here you will include relevant background information, present your research aims and explain why the research is important. 

Literature review  

The literature review is where you will analyse and evaluate existing research within your subject area. This section is where your secondary research will be presented. A literature review is an integral part of your research project as it brings validity to your research aims. 

What to include when writing your literature review:

• A description of the publications
• A summary of the main points
• An evaluation on the contribution to the area of study
• Potential flaws and gaps in the research 

Methodology

The research paper methodology outlines the process of your data collection. This is where you will present your primary research. The aim of the methodology section is to answer two questions: 

• Why did you select the research methods you used?
• How do these methods contribute towards your research hypothesis? 

In this section you will not be writing about your findings, but the ways in which you are going to try and achieve them. You need to state whether your methodology will be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed. 

• Qualitative – first hand observations such as interviews, focus groups, case studies and questionnaires. The data collected will generally be non-numerical. 
• Quantitative – research that deals in numbers and logic. The data collected will focus on statistics and numerical patterns.
• Mixed – includes both quantitative and qualitative research.

The methodology section should always be written in the past tense, even if you have already started your data collection. 

Findings and results 

In this section you will present the findings and results of your primary research. Here you will give a concise and factual summary of your findings using tables and graphs where appropriate. 

Discussion 

The discussion section is where you will talk about your findings in detail. Here you need to relate your results to your hypothesis, explaining what you found out and the significance of the research. 

It is a good idea to talk about any areas with disappointing or surprising results and address the limitations within the research project. This will balance your project and steer you away from bias.

Some questions to consider when writing your discussion: 

• To what extent was the hypothesis supported?
• Was your research method appropriate?
• Was there unexpected data that affected your results?
• To what extent was your research validated by other sources?

Conclusion 

The conclusion is where you will bring your research project to a close. In this section you will not only be restating your research aims and how you achieved them, but also discussing the wider significance of your research project. You will talk about the successes and failures of the project, and how you would approach further study. 

It is essential you do not bring any new ideas into your conclusion; this section is used only to summarise what you have already stated in the project. 

References 

As a research project is your own ideas blended with information and research from existing knowledge, you must include a list of correctly cited references. Creating a list of references will allow the reader to easily evaluate the quality of your secondary research whilst also saving you from potential plagiarism accusations. 

The way in which you cite your sources will vary depending on the university standard.

If you are an international student looking to  study a degree in the UK , The University of Sheffield International College has a range of  pathway programmes  to prepare you for university study. Undertaking a Research Project is one of the core modules for the  Pre-Masters programme  at The University of Sheffield International College.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best topic for research .

It’s a good idea to choose a topic you have existing knowledge on, or one that you are interested in. This will make the research process easier; as you have an idea of where and what to look for in your sources, as well as more enjoyable as it’s a topic you want to know more about.

What should a research project include? 

There are seven main sections to a research project, these are:

• Introduction – the aims of the project and what you hope to achieve
• Literature review – evaluating and reviewing existing knowledge on the topic
• Methodology – the methods you will use for your primary research
• Findings and results – presenting the data from your primary research
• Discussion – summarising and analysing your research and what you have found out
• Conclusion – how the project went (successes and failures), areas for future study
• List of references – correctly cited sources that have been used throughout the project. 

How long is a research project? 

The length of a research project will depend on the level study and the nature of the subject. There is no one length for research papers, however the average dissertation style essay can be anywhere from 4,000 to 15,000+ words. 

Uncomplicated Reviews of Educational Research Methods

• Writing a Research Report

.pdf version of this page

This review covers the basic elements of a research report. This is a general guide for what you will see in journal articles or dissertations. This format assumes a mixed methods study, but you can leave out either quantitative or qualitative sections if you only used a single methodology.

This review is divided into sections for easy reference. There are five MAJOR parts of a Research Report:

1.    Introduction 2.    Review of Literature 3.    Methods 4.    Results 5.    Discussion

As a general guide, the Introduction, Review of Literature, and Methods should be about 1/3 of your paper, Discussion 1/3, then Results 1/3.

Section 1 : Cover Sheet (APA format cover sheet) optional, if required.

Section 2: Abstract (a basic summary of the report, including sample, treatment, design, results, and implications) (≤ 150 words) optional, if required.

Section 3 : Introduction (1-3 paragraphs) •    Basic introduction •    Supportive statistics (can be from periodicals) •    Statement of Purpose •    Statement of Significance

Section 4 : Research question(s) or hypotheses •    An overall research question (optional) •    A quantitative-based (hypotheses) •    A qualitative-based (research questions) Note: You will generally have more than one, especially if using hypotheses.

Section 5: Review of Literature ▪    Should be organized by subheadings ▪    Should adequately support your study using supporting, related, and/or refuting evidence ▪    Is a synthesis, not a collection of individual summaries

Section 6: Methods ▪    Procedure: Describe data gathering or participant recruitment, including IRB approval ▪    Sample: Describe the sample or dataset, including basic demographics ▪    Setting: Describe the setting, if applicable (generally only in qualitative designs) ▪    Treatment: If applicable, describe, in detail, how you implemented the treatment ▪    Instrument: Describe, in detail, how you implemented the instrument; Describe the reliability and validity associated with the instrument ▪    Data Analysis: Describe type of procedure (t-test, interviews, etc.) and software (if used)

Section 7: Results ▪    Restate Research Question 1 (Quantitative) ▪    Describe results ▪    Restate Research Question 2 (Qualitative) ▪    Describe results

Section 8: Discussion ▪    Restate Overall Research Question ▪    Describe how the results, when taken together, answer the overall question ▪    ***Describe how the results confirm or contrast the literature you reviewed

Section 9: Recommendations (if applicable, generally related to practice)

Section 10: Limitations ▪    Discuss, in several sentences, the limitations of this study. ▪    Research Design (overall, then info about the limitations of each separately) ▪    Sample ▪    Instrument/s ▪    Other limitations

Section 11: Conclusion (A brief closing summary)

Section 12: References (APA format)

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About research rundowns.

Research Rundowns was made possible by support from the Dewar College of Education at Valdosta State University .

• Experimental Design
• What is Educational Research?
• Writing Research Questions
• Mixed Methods Research Designs
• Qualitative Coding & Analysis
• Qualitative Research Design
• Correlation
• Effect Size
• Instrument, Validity, Reliability
• Mean & Standard Deviation
• Significance Testing (t-tests)
• Steps 1-4: Finding Research
• Steps 5-6: Analyzing & Organizing
• Steps 7-9: Citing & Writing

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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write a Research Proposal

Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:

1. Title and Abstract

• Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research.
• Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal.

2. Introduction:

• Provide an introduction to your research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.
• Clearly state the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Discuss the background and context of the study, including previous research in the field.

3. Research Objectives

• Outline the specific objectives or aims of your research. These objectives should be clear, achievable, and aligned with the research problem.

4. Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings, identify gaps, and highlight how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge.

5. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to employ to address your research objectives.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques you will use.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate and suitable for your research.

6. Timeline:

• Create a timeline or schedule that outlines the major milestones and activities of your research project.
• Break down the research process into smaller tasks and estimate the time required for each task.

7. Resources:

• Identify the resources needed for your research, such as access to specific databases, equipment, or funding.
• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources to carry out your research effectively.

8. Ethical Considerations:

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise during your research and explain how you plan to address them.
• If your research involves human subjects, explain how you will ensure their informed consent and privacy.

9. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

• Clearly state the expected outcomes or results of your research.
• Highlight the potential impact and significance of your research in advancing knowledge or addressing practical issues.

10. References:

• Provide a list of all the references cited in your proposal, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

11. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, or data analysis plans.

Research Proposal Format

The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your research proposal, your name, your affiliation or institution, and the date.

2. Abstract:

• Provide a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction:

• Introduce the research topic and provide background information.
• State the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the research.
• Review relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings and identify gaps in the existing knowledge.
• Explain how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

5. Research Objectives:

• Clearly state the specific objectives or aims of your research.
• Ensure that the objectives are clear, focused, and aligned with the research problem.

6. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate for your research.

7. Timeline:

8. Resources:

• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources effectively.

9. Ethical Considerations:

• If applicable, explain how you will ensure informed consent and protect the privacy of research participants.

10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

11. References:

12. Appendices:

Research Proposal Template

Here’s a template for a research proposal:

1. Introduction:

2. Literature Review:

3. Research Objectives:

4. Methodology:

5. Timeline:

6. Resources:

7. Ethical Considerations:

8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

9. References:

10. Appendices:

Research Proposal Sample

Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

1. Introduction

Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.

2. Objectives

The main objectives of this research are as follows:

• To compare student learning outcomes between online and traditional face-to-face education.
• To examine the factors influencing student engagement in online learning environments.
• To assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods employed in online education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities associated with online education and suggest recommendations for improvement.

3. Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:

3.2 Participants

The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.

3.3 Data Collection

The research will employ the following data collection methods:

• Quantitative: Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted to measure students’ learning outcomes. Data on student demographics and academic performance will also be collected from university records.
• Qualitative: Focus group discussions and individual interviews will be conducted with students to gather their perceptions and experiences regarding online education.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.

4. Ethical Considerations

The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. Significance and Expected Outcomes

This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

6. Timeline

The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.

8. Conclusion

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Home Market Research

Research Reports: Definition and How to Write Them

Reports are usually spread across a vast horizon of topics but are focused on communicating information about a particular topic and a niche target market. The primary motive of research reports is to convey integral details about a study for marketers to consider while designing new strategies.

Certain events, facts, and other information based on incidents need to be relayed to the people in charge, and creating research reports is the most effective communication tool. Ideal research reports are extremely accurate in the offered information with a clear objective and conclusion. These reports should have a clean and structured format to relay information effectively.

What are Research Reports?

Research reports are recorded data prepared by researchers or statisticians after analyzing the information gathered by conducting organized research, typically in the form of surveys or qualitative methods .

A research report is a reliable source to recount details about a conducted research. It is most often considered to be a true testimony of all the work done to garner specificities of research.

The various sections of a research report are:

• Background/Introduction
• Implemented Methods
• Results based on Analysis
• Deliberation

Learn more: Quantitative Research

Components of Research Reports

Research is imperative for launching a new product/service or a new feature. The markets today are extremely volatile and competitive due to new entrants every day who may or may not provide effective products. An organization needs to make the right decisions at the right time to be relevant in such a market with updated products that suffice customer demands.

The details of a research report may change with the purpose of research but the main components of a report will remain constant. The research approach of the market researcher also influences the style of writing reports. Here are seven main components of a productive research report:

• Research Report Summary: The entire objective along with the overview of research are to be included in a summary which is a couple of paragraphs in length. All the multiple components of the research are explained in brief under the report summary.  It should be interesting enough to capture all the key elements of the report.
• Research Introduction: There always is a primary goal that the researcher is trying to achieve through a report. In the introduction section, he/she can cover answers related to this goal and establish a thesis which will be included to strive and answer it in detail.  This section should answer an integral question: “What is the current situation of the goal?”.  After the research design was conducted, did the organization conclude the goal successfully or they are still a work in progress –  provide such details in the introduction part of the research report.
• Research Methodology: This is the most important section of the report where all the important information lies. The readers can gain data for the topic along with analyzing the quality of provided content and the research can also be approved by other market researchers . Thus, this section needs to be highly informative with each aspect of research discussed in detail.  Information needs to be expressed in chronological order according to its priority and importance. Researchers should include references in case they gained information from existing techniques.
• Research Results: A short description of the results along with calculations conducted to achieve the goal will form this section of results. Usually, the exposition after data analysis is carried out in the discussion part of the report.

Learn more: Quantitative Data

• Research Discussion: The results are discussed in extreme detail in this section along with a comparative analysis of reports that could probably exist in the same domain. Any abnormality uncovered during research will be deliberated in the discussion section.  While writing research reports, the researcher will have to connect the dots on how the results will be applicable in the real world.
• Research References and Conclusion: Conclude all the research findings along with mentioning each and every author, article or any content piece from where references were taken.

Learn more: Qualitative Observation

15 Tips for Writing Research Reports

Writing research reports in the manner can lead to all the efforts going down the drain. Here are 15 tips for writing impactful research reports:

• Prepare the context before starting to write and start from the basics:  This was always taught to us in school – be well-prepared before taking a plunge into new topics. The order of survey questions might not be the ideal or most effective order for writing research reports. The idea is to start with a broader topic and work towards a more specific one and focus on a conclusion or support, which a research should support with the facts.  The most difficult thing to do in reporting, without a doubt is to start. Start with the title, the introduction, then document the first discoveries and continue from that. Once the marketers have the information well documented, they can write a general conclusion.
• Keep the target audience in mind while selecting a format that is clear, logical and obvious to them:  Will the research reports be presented to decision makers or other researchers? What are the general perceptions around that topic? This requires more care and diligence. A researcher will need a significant amount of information to start writing the research report. Be consistent with the wording, the numbering of the annexes and so on. Follow the approved format of the company for the delivery of research reports and demonstrate the integrity of the project with the objectives of the company.
• Have a clear research objective: A researcher should read the entire proposal again, and make sure that the data they provide contributes to the objectives that were raised from the beginning. Remember that speculations are for conversations, not for research reports, if a researcher speculates, they directly question their own research.
• Establish a working model:  Each study must have an internal logic, which will have to be established in the report and in the evidence. The researchers’ worst nightmare is to be required to write research reports and realize that key questions were not included.

Learn more: Quantitative Observation

• Gather all the information about the research topic. Who are the competitors of our customers? Talk to other researchers who have studied the subject of research, know the language of the industry. Misuse of the terms can discourage the readers of research reports from reading further.
• Read aloud while writing. While reading the report, if the researcher hears something inappropriate, for example, if they stumble over the words when reading them, surely the reader will too. If the researcher can’t put an idea in a single sentence, then it is very long and they must change it so that the idea is clear to everyone.
• Check grammar and spelling. Without a doubt, good practices help to understand the report. Use verbs in the present tense. Consider using the present tense, which makes the results sound more immediate. Find new words and other ways of saying things. Have fun with the language whenever possible.
• Discuss only the discoveries that are significant. If some data are not really significant, do not mention them. Remember that not everything is truly important or essential within research reports.

Learn more: Qualitative Data

• Try and stick to the survey questions. For example, do not say that the people surveyed “were worried” about an research issue , when there are different degrees of concern.
• The graphs must be clear enough so that they understand themselves. Do not let graphs lead the reader to make mistakes: give them a title, include the indications, the size of the sample, and the correct wording of the question.
• Be clear with messages. A researcher should always write every section of the report with an accuracy of details and language.
• Be creative with titles – Particularly in segmentation studies choose names “that give life to research”. Such names can survive for a long time after the initial investigation.
• Create an effective conclusion: The conclusion in the research reports is the most difficult to write, but it is an incredible opportunity to excel. Make a precise summary. Sometimes it helps to start the conclusion with something specific, then it describes the most important part of the study, and finally, it provides the implications of the conclusions.
• Get a couple more pair of eyes to read the report. Writers have trouble detecting their own mistakes. But they are responsible for what is presented. Ensure it has been approved by colleagues or friends before sending the find draft out.

Learn more: Market Research and Analysis

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How to write a research plan: Step-by-step guide

Last updated

30 January 2024

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Today’s businesses and institutions rely on data and analytics to inform their product and service decisions. These metrics influence how organizations stay competitive and inspire innovation. However, gathering data and insights requires carefully constructed research, and every research project needs a roadmap. This is where a research plan comes into play.

Read this step-by-step guide for writing a detailed research plan that can apply to any project, whether it’s scientific, educational, or business-related.

• What is a research plan?

A research plan is a documented overview of a project in its entirety, from end to end. It details the research efforts, participants, and methods needed, along with any anticipated results. It also outlines the project’s goals and mission, creating layers of steps to achieve those goals within a specified timeline.

Without a research plan, you and your team are flying blind, potentially wasting time and resources to pursue research without structured guidance.

The principal investigator, or PI, is responsible for facilitating the research oversight. They will create the research plan and inform team members and stakeholders of every detail relating to the project. The PI will also use the research plan to inform decision-making throughout the project.

• Why do you need a research plan?

Create a research plan before starting any official research to maximize every effort in pursuing and collecting the research data. Crucially, the plan will model the activities needed at each phase of the research project .

Like any roadmap, a research plan serves as a valuable tool providing direction for those involved in the project—both internally and externally. It will keep you and your immediate team organized and task-focused while also providing necessary definitions and timelines so you can execute your project initiatives with full understanding and transparency.

External stakeholders appreciate a working research plan because it’s a great communication tool, documenting progress and changing dynamics as they arise. Any participants of your planned research sessions will be informed about the purpose of your study, while the exercises will be based on the key messaging outlined in the official plan.

Here are some of the benefits of creating a research plan document for every project:

Project organization and structure

Well-informed participants

All stakeholders and teams align in support of the project

Clearly defined project definitions and purposes

Distractions are eliminated, prioritizing task focus

Timely management of individual task schedules and roles

Costly reworks are avoided

• What should a research plan include?

The different aspects of your research plan will depend on the nature of the project. However, most official research plan documents will include the core elements below. Each aims to define the problem statement , devising an official plan for seeking a solution.

Specific project goals and individual objectives

Ideal strategies or methods for reaching those goals

Required resources

Descriptions of the target audience, sample sizes , demographics, and scopes

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Project background

Research and testing support

Preliminary studies and progress reporting mechanisms

Cost estimates and change order processes

Depending on the research project’s size and scope, your research plan could be brief—perhaps only a few pages of documented plans. Alternatively, it could be a fully comprehensive report. Either way, it’s an essential first step in dictating your project’s facilitation in the most efficient and effective way.

• How to write a research plan for your project

When you start writing your research plan, aim to be detailed about each step, requirement, and idea. The more time you spend curating your research plan, the more precise your research execution efforts will be.

Account for every potential scenario, and be sure to address each and every aspect of the research.

Consider following this flow to develop a great research plan for your project:

Define your project’s purpose

Start by defining your project’s purpose. Identify what your project aims to accomplish and what you are researching. Remember to use clear language.

Thinking about the project’s purpose will help you set realistic goals and inform how you divide tasks and assign responsibilities. These individual tasks will be your stepping stones to reach your overarching goal.

Additionally, you’ll want to identify the specific problem, the usability metrics needed, and the intended solutions.

Know the following three things about your project’s purpose before you outline anything else:

What you’re doing

Why you’re doing it

What you expect from it

Identify individual objectives

With your overarching project objectives in place, you can identify any individual goals or steps needed to reach those objectives. Break them down into phases or steps. You can work backward from the project goal and identify every process required to facilitate it.

Be mindful to identify each unique task so that you can assign responsibilities to various team members. At this point in your research plan development, you’ll also want to assign priority to those smaller, more manageable steps and phases that require more immediate or dedicated attention.

Select research methods

Once you have outlined your goals, objectives, steps, and tasks, it’s time to drill down on selecting research methods . You’ll want to leverage specific research strategies and processes. When you know what methods will help you reach your goals, you and your teams will have direction to perform and execute your assigned tasks.

Research methods might include any of the following:

User interviews : this is a qualitative research method where researchers engage with participants in one-on-one or group conversations. The aim is to gather insights into their experiences, preferences, and opinions to uncover patterns, trends, and data.

Field studies : this approach allows for a contextual understanding of behaviors, interactions, and processes in real-world settings. It involves the researcher immersing themselves in the field, conducting observations, interviews, or experiments to gather in-depth insights.

Card sorting : participants categorize information by sorting content cards into groups based on their perceived similarities. You might use this process to gain insights into participants’ mental models and preferences when navigating or organizing information on websites, apps, or other systems.

Focus groups : use organized discussions among select groups of participants to provide relevant views and experiences about a particular topic.

Diary studies : ask participants to record their experiences, thoughts, and activities in a diary over a specified period. This method provides a deeper understanding of user experiences, uncovers patterns, and identifies areas for improvement.

Five-second testing: participants are shown a design, such as a web page or interface, for just five seconds. They then answer questions about their initial impressions and recall, allowing you to evaluate the design’s effectiveness.

Surveys : get feedback from participant groups with structured surveys. You can use online forms, telephone interviews, or paper questionnaires to reveal trends, patterns, and correlations.

Tree testing : tree testing involves researching web assets through the lens of findability and navigability. Participants are given a textual representation of the site’s hierarchy (the “tree”) and asked to locate specific information or complete tasks by selecting paths.

Usability testing : ask participants to interact with a product, website, or application to evaluate its ease of use. This method enables you to uncover areas for improvement in digital key feature functionality by observing participants using the product.

Live website testing: research and collect analytics that outlines the design, usability, and performance efficiencies of a website in real time.

There are no limits to the number of research methods you could use within your project. Just make sure your research methods help you determine the following:

What do you plan to do with the research findings?

What decisions will this research inform? How can your stakeholders leverage the research data and results?

Recruit participants and allocate tasks

Next, identify the participants needed to complete the research and the resources required to complete the tasks. Different people will be proficient at different tasks, and having a task allocation plan will allow everything to run smoothly.

Prepare a thorough project summary

Every well-designed research plan will feature a project summary. This official summary will guide your research alongside its communications or messaging. You’ll use the summary while recruiting participants and during stakeholder meetings. It can also be useful when conducting field studies.

Ensure this summary includes all the elements of your research project . Separate the steps into an easily explainable piece of text that includes the following:

An introduction: the message you’ll deliver to participants about the interview, pre-planned questioning, and testing tasks.

Interview questions: prepare questions you intend to ask participants as part of your research study, guiding the sessions from start to finish.

An exit message: draft messaging your teams will use to conclude testing or survey sessions. These should include the next steps and express gratitude for the participant’s time.

Create a realistic timeline

While your project might already have a deadline or a results timeline in place, you’ll need to consider the time needed to execute it effectively.

Realistically outline the time needed to properly execute each supporting phase of research and implementation. And, as you evaluate the necessary schedules, be sure to include additional time for achieving each milestone in case any changes or unexpected delays arise.

For this part of your research plan, you might find it helpful to create visuals to ensure your research team and stakeholders fully understand the information.

Determine how to present your results

A research plan must also describe how you intend to present your results. Depending on the nature of your project and its goals, you might dedicate one team member (the PI) or assume responsibility for communicating the findings yourself.

In this part of the research plan, you’ll articulate how you’ll share the results. Detail any materials you’ll use, such as:

Presentations and slides

A project report booklet

A project findings pamphlet

Documents with key takeaways and statistics

Graphic visuals to support your findings

• Format your research plan

As you create your research plan, you can enjoy a little creative freedom. A plan can assume many forms, so format it how you see fit. Determine the best layout based on your specific project, intended communications, and the preferences of your teams and stakeholders.

Find format inspiration among the following layouts:

Written outlines

Narrative storytelling

Visual mapping

Graphic timelines

Remember, the research plan format you choose will be subject to change and adaptation as your research and findings unfold. However, your final format should ideally outline questions, problems, opportunities, and expectations.

• Research plan example

Imagine you’ve been tasked with finding out how to get more customers to order takeout from an online food delivery platform. The goal is to improve satisfaction and retain existing customers. You set out to discover why more people aren’t ordering and what it is they do want to order or experience. 

You identify the need for a research project that helps you understand what drives customer loyalty . But before you jump in and start calling past customers, you need to develop a research plan—the roadmap that provides focus, clarity, and realistic details to the project.

Here’s an example outline of a research plan you might put together:

Project title

Project members involved in the research plan

Purpose of the project (provide a summary of the research plan’s intent)

Objective 1 (provide a short description for each objective)

Objective 2

Objective 3

Proposed timeline

Audience (detail the group you want to research, such as customers or non-customers)

Budget (how much you think it might cost to do the research)

Risk factors/contingencies (any potential risk factors that may impact the project’s success)

Remember, your research plan doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel—it just needs to fit your project’s unique needs and aims.

Customizing a research plan template

Some companies offer research plan templates to help get you started. However, it may make more sense to develop your own customized plan template. Be sure to include the core elements of a great research plan with your template layout, including the following:

Introductions to participants and stakeholders

Background problems and needs statement

Significance, ethics, and purpose

Research methods, questions, and designs

Preliminary beliefs and expectations

Implications and intended outcomes

Realistic timelines for each phase

Conclusion and presentations

How many pages should a research plan be?

Generally, a research plan can vary in length between 500 to 1,500 words. This is roughly three pages of content. More substantial projects will be 2,000 to 3,500 words, taking up four to seven pages of planning documents.

What is the difference between a research plan and a research proposal?

A research plan is a roadmap to success for research teams. A research proposal, on the other hand, is a dissertation aimed at convincing or earning the support of others. Both are relevant in creating a guide to follow to complete a project goal.

What are the seven steps to developing a research plan?

While each research project is different, it’s best to follow these seven general steps to create your research plan:

Defining the problem

Identifying goals

Choosing research methods

Recruiting participants

Preparing the brief or summary

Establishing task timelines

Defining how you will present the findings

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How to Start a Research Project: A Comprehensive Guide

Starting a research project can seem like a huge task, but with the right steps, it can be manageable and even fun. This guide will walk you through each stage, from choosing a topic to preparing for publication. By breaking down the process into smaller parts, you'll be able to focus on one step at a time and make steady progress. Whether you're a first-time researcher or looking to improve your skills, this guide has something for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a research topic that interests you and is feasible to study.
• Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the existing research.
• Formulate clear research questions and hypotheses to guide your study.
• Select the right methodology that aligns with your research goals.
• Prepare a detailed research plan and stick to your timeline.

Defining Your Research Topic

Starting a research project begins with defining your research topic. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for your entire study. A well-defined topic not only guides your research but also keeps you focused and organized throughout the process.

Conducting a Literature Review

Finding relevant sources.

Before diving into your research, it's crucial to gather relevant sources. Start by identifying keywords related to your topic. Use academic databases, libraries, and search engines to find scholarly articles, books, and other credible sources. Tools like the Literature Navigator can streamline this process, helping you efficiently navigate academic literature.

Evaluating the Quality of Sources

Not all sources are created equal. Assess the credibility of each source by considering the author's qualifications, the publication's reputation, and the date of publication. A recent review of 'How to Design and Report Experiments' highlights the importance of using up-to-date and reliable sources to ensure the validity of your research.

Synthesizing the Literature

Once you have gathered and evaluated your sources, the next step is to synthesize the information. This involves identifying common themes, gaps, and contradictions in the literature. By doing so, you can build a coherent narrative that supports your research objectives. Remember, a well-synthesized literature review not only summarizes existing knowledge but also highlights areas for further investigation.

Formulating Research Questions and Hypotheses

Crafting clear research questions.

Creating clear research questions is a crucial step in any research project. These questions should be specific enough to guide your study but broad enough to allow for comprehensive exploration. A well-crafted research question provides a clear focus for your research efforts. Start by identifying the main problem or gap in the existing literature. Then, formulate questions that address this problem directly. Avoid yes/no questions; instead, aim for open-ended questions that encourage detailed investigation.

Developing Hypotheses

Once you have your research questions, the next step is to develop hypotheses. A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. It should be clear, concise, and specific. For example, if your research question is about the impact of social media on academic performance, your hypothesis might predict that increased social media use leads to lower academic performance. Remember, a good hypothesis is not just a guess; it is an informed prediction based on existing knowledge and preliminary research.

Ensuring Feasibility and Relevance

When formulating your research questions and hypotheses, it's essential to consider their feasibility and relevance. Ask yourself if you have the resources and time to test your hypotheses. Also, ensure that your research questions are relevant to your field of study and contribute to the existing body of knowledge. Websites like [ Research Rebels ](https://www.researchrebels.com) offer tools and resources to help you refine your research questions and hypotheses, ensuring they are both feasible and impactful.

Choosing an Appropriate Methodology

Selecting the right methodology is crucial for the success of your research project. The methodology section of a research paper answers two main questions: how was the data collected or generated? and, how was it analyzed? Your choice should align with your research objectives and questions. This section will guide you through the different approaches and help you make an informed decision.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Approaches

When deciding on a methodology, you need to choose between qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative research involves first-hand observations, such as interviews, focus groups, and case studies. This type of research is useful for gaining in-depth understanding of complex issues. On the other hand, quantitative research deals with numbers and logic, focusing on statistics and numerical patterns. It is ideal for measuring the frequency, rate, or extent of certain phenomena.

Mixed Methods Research

Sometimes, a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods, known as mixed methods research, is the best approach. This allows you to explore a research question from multiple angles, providing a more comprehensive understanding. For instance, you might conduct interviews to gather detailed insights and then use surveys to quantify those insights.

Aligning Methodology with Research Goals

Your choice of methodology should be justified within the context of your study. Consider the nature of your research question: is it exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, or evaluative? Each type of inquiry may lend itself to different methodological approaches. For example, if you are studying organizational behavior, an ethnographic approach might provide deeper insights than a survey. Always ensure that your chosen methods align with your research goals and objectives.

Designing Your Research Plan

Creating a research plan is essential for keeping your project on track and ensuring you meet your goals. This section will guide you through the steps of designing an effective research plan.

Creating a Research Timeline

A research timeline helps you manage your time efficiently. Start by listing all the tasks you need to complete, such as conducting interviews, collecting data, and writing your report. Break these tasks into smaller steps and set deadlines for each. A well-structured timeline can keep you focused and reduce stress.

Allocating Resources Effectively

Effective resource allocation is crucial for the success of your research. Identify the resources you need, such as software, access to libraries, or funding. Make a budget and ensure you have everything in place before you start. This will help you avoid delays and stay within your limits.

Setting Milestones and Deadlines

Setting milestones and deadlines is important for tracking your progress. Divide your project into phases and set a deadline for each phase. This will help you stay on track and make adjustments if needed. Use tools like the academic project planner to keep everything organized and reduce anxiety.

By following these steps, you can design a research plan that will guide you through your project and help you achieve your goals.

Data Collection Techniques

Surveys and questionnaires.

Surveys and questionnaires are popular methods for gathering data from a large number of respondents quickly and efficiently. They can be administered online, via email, or in person. Surveys are particularly useful for collecting quantitative data, such as numerical information and statistics. Questionnaires, on the other hand, can include both closed-ended and open-ended questions, allowing for a mix of quantitative and qualitative data.

Interviews and Focus Groups

Interviews and focus groups are qualitative data collection methods that provide in-depth insights into participants' thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Interviews can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, depending on the research objectives. Focus groups involve guided discussions with a small group of participants, offering a range of perspectives on a given topic. These methods are valuable for exploring complex issues and understanding the context behind the data.

Observational Studies

Observational studies involve systematically watching and recording behaviors and events as they occur in their natural settings. This method is particularly useful for studying phenomena that cannot be easily measured through surveys or interviews. Observational studies can be either participant or non-participant, depending on whether the researcher is actively involved in the setting being observed. This technique provides accurate data on real-world behaviors and interactions.

Analyzing Your Data

Qualitative data analysis.

When dealing with qualitative data, your goal is to identify patterns and themes. Start by organizing your data into manageable chunks. Coding is a common technique where you label sections of text with tags that represent different themes. This helps in summarizing and finding connections within your data. Tools like NVivo can assist in managing and analyzing qualitative data effectively.

Quantitative Data Analysis

Quantitative data analysis involves statistical techniques to interpret numerical data. Begin with descriptive statistics to summarize your data, such as mean, median, and standard deviation. Next, use inferential statistics to draw conclusions and test hypotheses. Software like SPSS or R can be invaluable for performing these analyses. Remember, the goal is to understand trends and relationships within your data.

Using Software Tools for Analysis

Software tools can greatly enhance your data analysis process. For qualitative data, consider using NVivo or ATLAS.ti. For quantitative data, SPSS, R, and Excel are popular choices. These tools help in organizing, analyzing, and visualizing your data, making it easier to draw meaningful conclusions. Choosing the right software depends on your specific needs and the complexity of your data.

Addressing Ethical Considerations

When conducting research, it's crucial to address ethical considerations to ensure the integrity and credibility of your work. Ethical guidelines provide a framework for responsible conduct and help protect the rights and well-being of participants. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Informed Consent

Obtaining informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement. Participants should be fully aware of the nature, purpose, and potential risks of the study before agreeing to take part. This process ensures that participants voluntarily participate with a clear understanding of what the research entails.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Protecting the privacy of participants is essential. Researchers must ensure that personal information is kept confidential and that data is anonymized whenever possible. This helps to build trust and encourages honest and open participation.

Ethical Approval and Compliance

Before starting your research, seek approval from an ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB). This step is not just a formality; it ensures that your study complies with ethical standards and guidelines. Adhering to these guidelines helps maintain the integrity of your research and protects the rights of participants.

Writing Your Research Proposal

Structuring the proposal.

Creating a well-structured research proposal is essential for clearly communicating your research plan. Start with a clear thesis statement that encapsulates the essence of your research. Follow this with an introduction that provides context and background information. Your proposal should also include a literature review that shows how your project will fit into existing work on the topic. Finally, outline your methodology, detailing the steps you will take to achieve your research goals.

Defining Research Objectives

Your research objectives should be specific, measurable, and achievable. Clearly state what you aim to accomplish with your study. This section should also highlight the significance of your research and how it will contribute to the field. Make sure your objectives align with your research questions and hypotheses.

Justifying the Research

In this section, you need to justify why your research is important . Explain the relevance of your study and how it addresses a gap in the existing literature. Discuss the potential implications of your findings and how they could influence future research or practice. This is your opportunity to persuade your audience that your research is worthwhile and necessary.

Reporting Your Findings

Writing the results section.

When writing the results section, focus on presenting your data clearly and concisely. Use tables and graphs to illustrate your findings effectively. Ensure that your summary is factual and to the point. This section should provide a straightforward account of what you discovered during your research.

Discussing the Implications

In the discussion section , interpret your results and explain their significance. Relate your findings to your original hypothesis and discuss whether they support or contradict it. Address any unexpected outcomes and consider their implications. Reflect on the broader impact of your research and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge.

Presenting Data Visually

Visual aids like charts, graphs, and tables can make complex data more understandable. When presenting data visually, ensure that your visuals are clear and accurately represent your findings. Use labels and legends to help readers understand the information. Effective visual presentation can enhance the clarity and impact of your research findings.

Revising and Editing Your Work

Peer Review and Feedback

Getting feedback is crucial for improving your work. Reach out to peers, mentors, or even online forums for constructive criticism. Feedback is your best friend in this process. Organize the feedback you receive into three categories:

• What's working: Note the parts that resonate with your audience.
• Areas for improvement: Highlight suggestions and constructive criticism.
• Actionable steps: Plan how you'll address each piece of feedback.

Remember, not all feedback is created equal. Weigh the comments against your own understanding of the work.

Proofreading for Clarity and Accuracy

Proofreading is your last line of defense against errors. It's not just about catching typos; it's about ensuring consistency and clarity. Here are some techniques:

• Read your thesis out loud to catch awkward phrasing.
• Print a hard copy for a different visual perspective.
• Use text-to-speech software to listen for errors.
• Check one type of error at a time (e.g., spelling, then grammar).

Don't forget to enlist the help of peers or a professional service for fresh eyes on your work. Websites offer tools for academic projects, including worksheets and guides , which can be invaluable in this final stage.

Ensuring Consistency and Coherence

Consistency and coherence are key to a polished thesis. Make sure your arguments flow logically and that your writing is clear and concise. Here are some tips:

• Ensure each chapter contributes to your overall thesis.
• Use feedback to enrich your text with detailed explanations and relevant illustrations.
• Approach your revision with a holistic mindset , ensuring your content is accessible and beneficial to a broader academic audience.

By following these steps, you'll not only refine your thesis but also enhance its impact.

Preparing for Publication

Choosing the right journal.

Selecting the appropriate journal for your research is crucial. Identify journals that align with your study's focus and audience. Consider the journal's impact factor, scope, and readership. Look at the types of articles they publish and ensure your work fits their criteria. This step can significantly influence the visibility and impact of your research.

Adhering to Submission Guidelines

Each journal has specific submission guidelines that must be followed meticulously. These guidelines often include formatting requirements, word limits, and reference styles. Adhering to these rules is essential for a smooth review process. Failure to comply can result in immediate rejection, regardless of the quality of your research.

Responding to Reviewer Comments

After submission, your manuscript will likely undergo peer review. This process involves experts in your field evaluating your work. Be prepared to receive feedback and make necessary revisions. Address each comment thoughtfully and thoroughly. This step is vital for improving your manuscript and increasing its chances of acceptance. Remember, the peer review process is a form of quality control that ensures the validity and significance of your research.

Getting ready to publish your work can be a big task, but it doesn't have to be scary. Our easy-to-follow guides and worksheets are here to help you every step of the way. Whether you're just starting or almost done, we have the tools you need to succeed. Visit our website to learn more and get started today!

Starting a research project can seem like a huge task, but breaking it down into smaller steps makes it easier. From picking a topic that excites you to choosing the right methods and tools, each step is important. Remember to stay organized and keep your goals clear. Use resources like academic databases and online tools to help you along the way. By following a structured plan and staying focused, you can turn your research idea into a successful project. Keep in mind that every step you take brings you closer to making a valuable contribution to your field.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose a research topic.

Start by thinking about what interests you. Pick a topic that excites you and has enough resources available. This will keep you motivated throughout your research.

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a summary of all the research that has been done on your topic. It helps you understand what is already known and what gaps need to be filled.

How do I create a research question?

Begin by identifying a broad area of interest, then narrow it down to a specific question that you can answer through your research. Make sure it's clear and focused.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

Qualitative research explores ideas and experiences in depth, often through interviews or focus groups. Quantitative research uses numbers and statistics to find patterns and test hypotheses.

How do I ensure my research is ethical?

Make sure to get informed consent from participants, keep their information confidential, and follow any guidelines set by your institution or research board.

What are some common data collection methods?

Common methods include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observational studies. Choose the method that best fits your research question and objectives.

How do I analyze data?

For qualitative data, look for themes and patterns in the responses. For quantitative data, use statistical tools to analyze the numbers and find trends.

What should be included in a research proposal?

A research proposal should include your research question, objectives, methodology, literature review, and a timeline for your project. It should explain why your research is important and how you plan to do it.

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How to Write a Project Report (with Best Practices Templates for Microsoft 365)

Key Take Aways

What you’ll learn:

• How AI can enhance project reports with predictive analysis and actionable insights
• A 7-step checklist for making sure that your project reports are easily accessible and consumable by stakeholder
• The importance of using project management software for streamlining project reporting, especially in the age of remote working
• Why you should use the Microsoft 365 platform for project reporting and some out of the box examples from BrightWork 365

By: Shubhangi Pandey | Published on: Jun 5, 2024 | Categories: BrightWork 365 , Microsoft 365 , Project Reporting | 0 comments

In an age where remote work is becoming the new every day and data-driven decision-making is more crucial than ever, project reporting has become more than a managerial obligation. It’s an art and a science that combines traditional project tracking with modern metrics and advanced data visualization.

This guide will walk you through seven essential steps to craft a project report that informs and engages your stakeholders. We’ll explore the role of AI in project management, delve into the importance of remote work metrics, and discuss cutting-edge data visualization tools that can make your reports more insightful.

Whether you’re a seasoned project manager or just getting started with project management basics , these steps will help you write a project report that adds value to your organization’s knowledge base for future projects.

Why are Project Management Tools Vital for Report Writing?

The importance of robust project management tools for effective report writing cannot be overstated. Here’s why:

• Centralization : Project management tools are a central hub for all your project data, streamlining project management and reporting processes.
• Efficient Tracking : These tools make it easier to monitor work progress during the monitoring phase of project management , helping you stay on top of tasks and milestones.
• Risk Identification : Advanced features enable you to spot potential risks early, allowing for proactive management.
• Stakeholder Communication : Keep all stakeholders in the loop with real-time updates and comprehensive reports.
• Data Visualization : Utilize features like Power BI to transform raw data into insightful visuals, aiding in better decision-making.
• Custom Reports : Depending on organizational needs, create specialized reports that offer in-depth analysis and recommendations upon project completion.

The Evolution of AI in Project Management Tools for Report Writing

When crafting an impactful project report, your tools can be a game-changer. And let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Artificial Intelligence. AI is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a reality transforming project management and reporting.

According to a systematic literature review published in MDPI , AI’s role in project management is increasingly significant, offering advanced capabilities like predictive analytics and risk assessment.

The Power of Predictive Analytics

These advanced AI tools centralize your project data and offer predictive analytics, risk assessment, and automated insights that can be invaluable for your report. Like Power BI revolutionized data visualization, AI algorithms can sift through massive amounts of data to highlight trends, predict risks, and recommend actions.

Making AI Accessible for Every Project Manager

Imagine reporting on what has happened and providing stakeholders with insights into what could happen. It’s like giving your project report a crystal ball. And don’t worry – embracing AI doesn’t mean you have to be a tech wizard. Many modern project management tools benefit from built-in AI features. 

A thesis from DiVA portal explores the implementation of AI in project management and its impact on working personnel, indicating that AI is becoming more accessible and user-friendly.

The Future of Data-Driven Decision Making

AI’s capabilities equip stakeholders with data-driven insights for strategic decisions. It’s not just about tracking work and identifying risks anymore – it’s about forecasting them and offering actionable solutions. Welcome to the future of project reporting.

Types of Project Reports and Their Formats

Understanding the types of project reports you need to create is crucial. Whether it’s a project summary report, a project health report, or a project completion report, each serves a unique purpose and audience.

Knowing the format, whether a pie chart, bar chart, or complete chart, can also help present the data effectively. Writing a report is a valuable opportunity to evaluate the project, document lessons learned, and add to your organization’s knowledge base for future projects.

Data Visualization: Modern Tools and Techniques

Data visualization has come a long way from simple pie charts and bar graphs. With the advent of AI, we now have tools that can display and interpret data. Think of AI-powered heat maps that can show project bottlenecks or predictive line graphs that forecast project completion based on current trends.

Techniques for Effective Data Presentation

Modern data visualization techniques like interactive dashboards, real-time data streams, and even augmented reality (AR) representations are making it easier than ever to understand complex project metrics. These aren’t just for show; they offer actionable insights that can significantly impact project outcomes.

Making Data Visualization Accessible

The best part? These advanced visualization tools are becoming increasingly user-friendly. You don’t need to be a data scientist to use them. Most project management software now integrates seamlessly with these tools, making it easier than ever to incorporate advanced data visualization into your regular reporting.

The New Normal of Remote Work

In today’s digital age, remote work is becoming the new normal. As project managers, adapting our reporting techniques to this changing landscape is crucial.

Critical Metrics for Remote Teams

When it comes to remote teams, some metrics become even more critical. Think along the lines of ‘Remote Engagement Rate,’ ‘Digital Communication Effectiveness,’ and ‘Virtual Team Collaboration.’ These KPIs offer a more nuanced understanding of how remote teams are performing.

Tools for Tracking Remote Work Metrics

Fortunately, modern project management tools have features specifically designed to track these remote work metrics. From time-tracking software to virtual “water cooler” moments captured for team morale, these tools make remote work measurable in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few years ago.

Project Timeline and Milestones

A well-defined project timeline and key milestones are essential for any project. They not only help in keeping the project on track but also provide a basis for decision-making. 

Project management software can automate this process, ensuring that reports are always up-to-date. Try the steps outlined below for writing better project reports.

Manage Projects with Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Teams

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How to Write a Project Report in 7 Steps

Writing an effective project report is crucial for evaluating the project’s health, keeping stakeholders informed, and setting the stage for future projects. Here are seven steps to guide you through the process.

Step 1. Decide the Objective

Take some time during the project management initiation phase to think about the purpose of the report. Do you need to describe, explain, recommend, or persuade? Having a clear goal from the outset ensures that you stay focused, making engaging your reader easier.

Understanding the objective is the cornerstone of effective project reporting. Whether crafting a project summary report or a detailed project performance report, aligning your content with the aim will make your report more coherent and actionable.

This is also the stage where you decide the key milestones and metrics to highlight in the report.

Step 2. Understand Your Audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for crafting a report that resonates. Whether you’re writing for stakeholders or team members, the language, data, and visuals should be tailored to their preferences and needs.

• Language & Tone : Consider the communication style of your audience. Is a formal or informal tone more appropriate? Tailoring your language can build rapport and make your message more impactful.
• Data & Graphics : Choose the types of data and visual aids that will most effectively convey your message to your specific audience.
• Personal Preferences : Pay attention to how your audience typically communicates, whether in emails or other documents and try to mirror that style.
• Report Format : Different stakeholders may require different levels of detail. A project manager may want an in-depth analysis, while a sponsor only needs an executive summary.
• Audience Personas : Utilize audience personas to guide the tone, style, and content, ensuring your report caters to the diverse needs of all project stakeholders.

Step 3. Report Format and Type

Before you start, check the report format and type. Do you need to submit a written report or deliver a presentation? Do you need to craft a formal, informal, financial, annual, technical, fact-finding, or problem-solving report?

You should also confirm if any project management templates are available within the organization.

Checking these details can save time later on!

Different types of project reports serve other purposes. A project status report provides a snapshot of where the project is, while a project health report dives deeper into metrics. 

Make sure to consider the medium – will this report be a PDF, a slideshow, or an interactive dashboard? The format can significantly impact how the information is received.

Sep 4. Gather the Facts and Data

Including engaging facts and data will solidify your argument. Start with your collaborative project site and work out as needed. Remember to cite sources such as articles, case studies, and interviews.

To build a compelling case in your report, start mining your collaborative project site for crucial metrics like project milestones, resource utilization, and project health. Supplement this with additional data from external sources like articles and case studies. 

Utilize data visualization tools like pie charts or bar graphs to make complex information easily digestible. Ensure the data is current to maintain the report’s credibility and remember to cite your sources for added reliability.

Step 5. Structure the Report

How you arrange your report is pivotal in how well your audience can digest the material. A logically organized report improves readability and amplifies its impact in delivering the core message.

Your report should have a natural progression, leading the reader from one point to the next until a decisive conclusion is reached. Generally, a report is segmented into four key components:

• Opening Overview: This is the first thing your reader will see, and it’s usually crafted after the rest of the report is complete. Make this section compelling, as it often influences whether the reader will delve deeper into the report.
• Introduction: This section sets the stage by offering background information and outlining the report’s cover. Make sure to specify the report’s scope and any methodologies employed.
• Body: Here’s where your writing prowess comes into play. This is the meat of the report, filled with background, analyses, discussions, and actionable recommendations. Utilize data and visual aids to bolster your arguments.
• Final Thoughts: This is where you tie all the report’s elements together in a neat bow. Clearly state the following steps and any actions the reader should consider.

Step 6. Readability

Spend some time making the report accessible and enjoyable to read. If working in Word, the Navigation pane is a great way to help your reader work through the document. Use formatting, visuals, and lists to break up long text sections.

Readability is not just about the text but also about the visual elements like pie charts, bar colors, and even the background color of the report. Use these elements to break the monotony and make the report more engaging. Also, consider adding a table of contents for longer reports to improve navigation.

Step 7. Edit

The first draft of the report is rarely perfect, so you will need to edit and revise the content. If possible, set the document aside for a few days before reviewing it or ask a colleague to review it.

Editing is not just about correcting grammatical errors – it’s also about ensuring that the report aligns with its initial objectives and is tailored to its audience. Use this stage to refine the report’s structure, clarify its key points, and eliminate any unnecessary jargon or technical terms to the reader’s understanding.

Automate and Streamline Project Reporting with Microsoft 365

Project reporting can often be a laborious and time-consuming task. Especially on a project where there are so many moving parts and different people involved, getting a clear picture of what’s going on can be pretty tricky.

That is why we recommend moving to a cloud-based solution for project management and reporting – and you might have guessed it: we recommend Microsoft 365! If you’re considering SharePoint, check out our build vs buy guide.

Why use Microsoft 365 for project reporting?

There are many benefits to using Microsoft 365 as the platform for your project management reporting, including:

• Centralizing your project management and reporting on Microsoft 365 brings your project information into one place, so you can automate reporting and save time. If you’re still using excel for project management , here’s why you should consider switching.
• You can access configurable and filterable reports based on the audience by leveraging the available reporting mechanisms in Power Apps, Power BI, and Excel. Everyone can see the information in the way they need.
• Linked into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, reports can appear in Power Apps, Power BI, exported to Excel, emailed in Outlook, or seen in MS Teams, so reports are available wherever the audience is working.
• Having project data maintained in a single platform means that project reports are always up to date. No more chasing up PMs or team members for the latest document version!

5 Ways you can use BrightWork 365 for Project and Portfolio Reporting

BrightWork 365 is a project and portfolio management solution for Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform. Here are five ways you can leverage BrightWork 365 and Microsoft 365 for more efficient project reporting:

1. Capture Project Status Reports in a few minutes

BrightWork project sites have a “Status” tab where the project manager can capture what is happening. This is not a status report but a place for the PM to log the current status.

It is not a snapshot, as it will change regularly, but the info here will become part of the status report once the PM creates one. once the PM chooses to create one.

The Status Reports tab is where you can capture a snapshot of the project status at a point in time. It will bring in all the info from the “Status” tab, but you have the ability to add comments.

2. Track the project schedule with Gantt

3. Get High-Level Visibility into Programs and Portfolios

BrightWork 365 enables a hierarchy for your project management – with Portfolios being the highest level. For example, a portfolio may house all the projects in a company.

4. Surface Risks and Issues across all projects

One of the most critical elements for senior executives and project stakeholders is being aware of the project risks, especially understanding any issues that arise quickly.

5. Leverage Visual and Interactive Reports

The type and format of a report often depends on the audience. For example, senior executives often want the high-level details of a project. That’s where BrightWork 365 Power BI Dashboards come in.

Spend less time on your project reports with BrightWork 365

Streamline your project reporting process with BrightWork 365, a tool to centralize and automate your project data. Whether you prefer real-time dashboards or scheduled email reports, BrightWork 365 adapts to your needs, eliminating the tedious aspects of project reporting. Consider the following:

• Centralization : BrightWork 365 consolidates all project information into a single platform, making it easier to manage and report.
• Real-Time Reporting : As data is updated, reports are generated in real-time, ensuring you always have the most current information.
• Flexible Access : Reports can be accessed through various methods, including logging in to view customizable dashboards or receiving scheduled email summaries.
• Efficiency : The tool automates the reporting process, freeing time and reducing manual effort.

Conclusion: The Future of Project Reporting

Project reporting has undergone a significant transformation, thanks partly to technological advancements like Microsoft 365 and BrightWork 365 . As we’ve discussed, it’s not just about tracking tasks and milestones anymore. 

Today’s project reports are data-rich, AI-enhanced documents that offer predictive analytics and actionable insights. They also cater to the unique challenges and KPIs relevant to remote teams.

As we look to the future, we can expect even more advancements in project reporting technology. However, the core principles of clear objectives, a deep understanding of your audience, and a well-structured format will remain constant. 

By adhering to the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to adapt to new tools and technologies, ensuring that your project reports remain valuable for decision-making and strategic planning.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2016 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness

Image credit 

Shubhangi Pandey

BrightWork Content Marketer

Shubhangi is a product marketing enthusiast, who enjoys testing and sharing the BrightWork 365 project portfolio management solution capabilities with Microsoft 365 users. You can see her take on the experience of the template-driven BrightWork 365 solution, its unique project management success approach, and other personalized services across the site and social channels. Beyond BrightWork, Shubhangi loves to hunt for the newest Chai Latte-serving café, where she can read and write for hours.

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How to write a project report (with steps & templates).

August 16, 2024

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Juggling all the different components of a project can be quite a challenge. If that weren’t enough, you also have to write a project status report to update key stakeholders on the project’s progress. The struggle is real.

So where do you start? Fortunately, we have the answer. And that’s precisely why we put together this guide—to walk you through the process so you have a clear path from start to finish.

Learn more about creating project reports and different types of project status reports. Plus, you’ll walk away with five free project report templates, carefully crafted to streamline your project management workflow, save you time, and impress your stakeholders. 🤩

What is a Project Report?

How to write a project report, 1. project status report, 2. project progress report, 3. project cost benefit analysis report, 4. project time tracking report, 5. project resource report, 6. project risk report, 7. project variance report, 8. project performance report, 9. project completion report, 10. project management report, why is project reporting important, 1. final project report template, 2. project status report template, 3. digital marketing report template, 4. employee daily activity report template, 5. campaign report template, create professional project reports in less time with clickup.

A project report is a document offering a comprehensive overview of a project’s objectives, progress, team performance, and milestone accomplishments. It also gives an account of the challenges faced during a project’s execution , solutions devised to tackle them, and the lessons learned during the process. 

Project managers create these reports to communicate with other project stakeholders—including team members, sponsors, clients, and other interested parties—to ensure everyone’s on the same page. The document also serves as a foundation for further evaluation and analysis to ensure the project says on track and achieves its goals. 🎯

Creating a project report doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Follow these three simple steps to create your first project report with ease.

Understand the purpose of the report

Before you create a project report, you need to understand the purpose of the report (the “why”) and know your target audience (the “who”). This will guide the content, structure, and tone of your project report.

Gather and organize the relevant information

At this point, you need to gather project information relevant to your project report. Make sure your data is accurate, reliable, and up-to-date. Organize the gathered information in a logical and structured manner.

• Executive summary : As its name suggests, this project summary gives readers a quick overview of the whole report. It’s a snapshot that highlights the most important parts of the project. While it’s placed at the start of the report, it’s often written last. It covers the project’s objectives, methodology, major outcomes, and conclusions. 
• Introduction: This sets the context and expectations of the entire report. It includes the project’s purpose and scope, project schedule, the problems it aims to address, and the methodologies to get there. It also outlines the structure and organization of the rest of the report. 
• Body: Typically, this is the longest part of project management reports because it dives into in-depth details, including project progress, data collection, analysis reports, constraints, and limitations. Remember that whatever you include here should reflect the purpose of your project report and the preferences of your target audience. 
• Conclusions & Recommendations: Based on your findings and analysis, identify opportunities for improvement, suggest strategies for addressing them, or propose avenues for future research. 

Format and proofread the report

Ensure that your project report follows a consistent formatting style—headings, subheadings, and bullet points will make it easier to read. In addition, scan your report for spelling or grammar errors and typos.

Types of Project Reports

Project reports come in diverse formats, with each serving different use cases. Here are nine of the most commonly used types of project reports.

A project status report is a document that gives a snapshot of where your project stands at any given moment. It’s like answering the question, “How’s the project doing?”

But instead of just saying “The project is fine,” you actually dive into the project goals, tasks completed, milestones achieved, challenges faced, lessons learned, potential roadblocks, and next steps. 

Whether it’s a weekly project status report or a monthly status report, this documentation eliminates the need for status meetings while giving stakeholders the most recent status of the project.

A project progress report is slightly similar to a status update report, as they both discuss task progress. However, the progress report is more quantitative and zooms in on individual tasks and project milestones . 

It’s like taking a magnifying glass and examining the progress of each task, one by one. For example, it could include in-depth information on the percentage of completion and current status of each task (completed, on track, delayed, etc.). 

The cost-benefit analysis report is usually prepared before a project is put into motion. Of the various project reports, this one aims to answer a simple question: “Is it worth pursuing this project?”

To answer this question, the report first assesses all project costs like operational expenses, materials, salaries, equipment, and potential risks. 

It then considers the projected benefits, such as increased profit margins, cost savings, improved efficiency, or happier customers. Finally, the report compares the costs to the benefits to determine if it’s time to move forward or explore other options.

A project time-tracking report is a document that records and summarizes time spent on project activities. Each project team member contributes to writing this report—they track and record the amount of time they’ve spent on tasks and submit it to the project manager. ⏰

Thankfully, the rise of project management tools has eliminated the need for paper-based time-tracking submissions. They make it easy for team members to submit accurate and detailed time reports to the project manager—while reducing the administrative burden of manual report compilation. 

Project managers can see how time is spent and the overall productivity of team members. As a result, they’re able to make informed decisions, such as redistributing workload (aka workload management ), reassigning tasks, and providing feedback and support to team members. 

A project resource dashboard offers a bird’s-eye view of how resources (e.g., labor, equipment, materials, budget, etc.) are allocated in a project. Think of it as a comprehensive resource inventory, listing every project task, the responsible party, and the resources being used. 

Project reports like this help project managers keep track of resource availability, identify potential resource constraints or shortages, and make informed decisions about resource allocation and optimization.

A project risk report offers a comprehensive analysis of potential risks, their likelihood of occurrence, their potential impact on the project, and recommended mitigation strategies. 

Rather than waiting for future events to derail the project, project reports like this one allow project managers to take a more proactive approach to risk management—thereby boosting the chances of overall project success.

A project variance report reveals the gaps or deviations between project plans and the actual performance or results achieved. It compares various factors—like budget, time, resources, and scope—and their planned values with their actual values, then computes the differences (or variances). 

By analyzing these variances, project managers and stakeholders can discuss the possible reasons behind them, identify areas that need attention, and take corrective actions where necessary.

A project performance report evaluates the overall performance and achievements of a project against predetermined metrics and objectives. It includes information on project deliverables, key performance indicators (KPIs) , and stakeholder satisfaction.

This report helps project managers assess project success, identify areas for improvement, and communicate the project’s performance to stakeholders.

A project completion report marks the end of a project journey. It summarizes the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to closure. This report contains an overview of the project’s objectives, deliverables, milestones, challenges, and recommendations for future projects.

A project management report summarizes a project’s progress, status, and performance for stakeholders. It includes an overview, current status, timeline, budget, risks, resource allocation, key performance indicators (KPIs), and next steps. The report helps ensure transparency, track milestones, address issues, and guide decision-making. It provides a snapshot of where the project stands and what actions are needed to keep it on track.

Writing project reports may initially seem redundant and time-consuming. However, it plays a crucial role in achieving project success. While a few benefits were hinted at earlier, let’s get a better picture of why project reports should not be overlooked.

More clarity

Creating a project report allows you to step back and reflect on the project’s progress. As you record the milestones, successes, and challenges, a wealth of insights begin to unfold—strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need attention.

This holistic view of the project’s health helps you steer it toward the desired outcomes and ensure it stays on track.

Encourages evaluation and analysis

Project reports allow you to evaluate and analyze the different aspects of a project in a systematic way—gathering relevant data, analyzing them, and evaluating their significance. By giving your project a critical analysis, you can uncover valuable insights, identify patterns, draw meaningful conclusions, and take strategic action. 🛠️

Enhances communication and collaboration

Creating a project report challenges you to present the project’s progress and results to stakeholders in a clear and coherent manner. A well-written report promotes project transparency and ensures everyone is on the same page.

It also facilitates collaboration by providing a common reference point for discussions, feedback, and decision-making.

Boosts professionalism and credibility

When you present a comprehensive and well-structured report, it shows that you have conducted thorough research, followed a methodical approach, and can effectively communicate complex information. This, in turn, boosts your reputation, enhances your credibility, and showcases your expertise among peers, colleagues, and potential employers.

Knowledge preservation

A project report serves as a valuable reference for future research or projects. By documenting your process, methodologies, challenges, lessons, and results, you create a resource that can be consulted and built upon by others.

This contributes to the cumulative knowledge in your field and fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Improves Team Alignment

Project reports are instrumental in enhancing team alignment. They provide a clear, concise snapshot of progress, identifying accomplishments, challenges, and next steps. This enables all team members to understand the project’s current status and their respective roles in achieving the overall objectives.

Check out these project report templates for teams:

• Nonprofit Organizations Project Report
• Operations Teams Project Report
• Finance Teams Project Report
• DevOps Teams Project Report
• Agile Teams Project Report
• Sales Teams Project Report

5 Project Report Examples & Templates

Sure, you could write project reports from scratch and spend countless hours formatting and structuring them. But why would you when you can use free project report templates? They provide a structure and format for your report so you can simply plug in your data and customize the design to fit your needs. Not only do project report templates speed up the report creation process, but they also enhance the overall quality of your reports. 

Let’s jump right in to explore our top five project report templates. 📈

A final project report is the perfect finishing touch to conclude a project and highlight its achievements. ClickUp’s Final Project Report Template provides a solid structure to help you put it together with the following key sections:

• Planned vs. Actual: A quantitative breakdown of how the project deviated from the original plan with regard to its start date, completion date, duration, and budget
• Management Effectiveness: A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis evaluating how the project was managed
• Project Learnings : Share the important project lessons learned by the team throughout the lifespan of the project
• Contract Terms Checklist : A simple table listing the various contract terms, whether they were completed, and any remarks you have 
• Overall Performance rating: A 1 out of 5 rating of the different aspects of the project, from planning and execution to leadership and communication

This template is built in ClickUp Docs , which means you have unlimited flexibility for customization—add extra sections and tweak the appearance to suit your taste. And guess what? The table of content updates in real-time as you add, edit, or delete multiple headers.

If you want to wow your team and clients, this project status report template will help you get the job done. 

Writing a project status report is fairly straightforward. But staring at a blank document and worrying about crafting perfectly manicured sentences can make this process last a lot longer than it should. 

Thankfully, ClickUp’s Project Status Report Template is here to save the day! Built inside ClickUp Whiteboards, this template provides a hassle-free method to quickly capture key project details in a visually engaging way.

• General information: Cover general project details (e.g., project name, objectives, project timeline , reporting period, etc.) which you’ll need to fill in only once
• Progress details: Use color-coding to share in-progress, at-risk, delayed, and completed tasks
• Support and resources: List out assets (e.g., labor, money, etc.) needed for a smooth operation 
• Highlights and takeaways: Share key lessons learned and other noteworthy highlights
• What went well/What needs improvement: Use this opportunity to reflect on the project’s progress and share the areas that performed well and what needs attention
• Next steps: Highlight the key action items that need to get done to keep the project on track

Enter the details under each of these sections onto sticky notes, which’ll help you quickly pour down your thoughts without worrying about writing perfect sentences. It’s also very helpful for stakeholders as the information on sticky notes is short and straight to the point. 

This template removes the pressure of creating a status report and saves valuable time—all while keeping key stakeholders informed and up to date.

After running a digital marketing campaign project, you need to gather key metrics from the campaign and present it to key stakeholders for evaluation, performance analysis, and notes for future improvements. 

Sharing this info across multiple digital channels can get overwhelming but there’s no need to worry. ClickUp’s Digital Marketing Report Template has you covered with everything you need. Plus, it’s neatly broken down into the following sections:

• Digital Marketing Performance: This section lets you summarize the overall performance of your campaign by capturing key details like project budget allocations, actual expenses, cost per acquisition, total impressions, and total clicks across multiple campaigns
• Web Analytics Report: This section analyzes website performance during and after the project’s completion. It captures metrics like page views, bounce rate, traffic sources, and overall conversion rate
• Social Media Campaign Performance: This section analyzes social media performance by measuring metrics like impressions, followers, and engagement rate—all in a simple table for each social media platform 

Use this template to present the performance of your digital marketing project in a simple and visually engaging way. This makes it easy to identify trends, analyze the impact of your campaign, and make informed decisions regarding future marketing initiatives.

A key way to stay on track and guarantee overall project success is to engage team members in the process.

The Employee Daily Activity Report Template by ClickUp has a simple tabular layout that makes it easy for team members to record and keep track of: 

• Completed tasks and the time spent on each
• Ongoing tasks and their due dates
• Upcoming tasks and any support they’ll need

This template encourages each team member to get work done and ask for support when needed—while allowing you to keep the project on track by providing support and maximizing team performance.

Remember the Digital Marketing Report Template we looked at earlier? You can choose to further analyze the marketing performance section, with elements from this Campaign Report Template by ClickUp . 

Dive deeper into how each marketing channel contributed to overall ad cost, ad revenue, and ad conversion rate. You can further break down each channel’s performance by analyzing the metrics from each individual campaign on that channel.

There you have it—your secret sauce for creating an effective project report in a fraction of the time. And that’s only scratching the surface … working inside ClickUp unlocks a lot more perks. 

Not only does ClickUp make project reporting easy and quick, but it also gives you access to free project management templates to enhance your workflow. Quickly assign tasks to your team, keep track of progress, discuss updates, and collaborate on documents and whiteboards—all in one place. ✨

Did we mention the integrations? ClickUp plays nicely with other apps, allowing you to seamlessly connect your favorite tools to supercharge your team’s productivity. And let’s not forget about the time you’ll save using ClickUp’s automations—a feature that lets you breeze through repetitive tasks that used to eat up valuable time across project management reports.

Just imagine what you can do with those extra hours—maybe enjoy a cup of coffee or catch up with your team about how best you can support them. Make project reporting a blast with ClickUp and boost your chances of a successful project. 

Get started by signing up for free on ClickUp today … Ready? Set? Report!

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(4) How to Write Project Report: Step-By-Step Guide

By archtc on December 26, 2017 — 21 minutes to read

Make Your Project Reports Speak for Themselves—A Thorough Guide

At some point during the implementation of a project, a certain report has to be generated in order to paint a mental image of the whole project. Ultimately, a project report must maximize the insight gained with minimal effort from the reader. Apart from describing its results, it must also explain the implications of those results to the organization and its business operations.

• How to Write and Create Project Reports Part 1
• Project Report Free Download Part 2
• Additional Sources Part 3

There are a number of ways project reporting helps an organization, a team, and even the project itself and here are some of them:

It tracks the progress of the project

It helps identify risks, it helps manage project cost, it gives stakeholders an insight on how the project is performing.

Project reports provide stakeholders a bird’s eye view of its current state. It gives the team a clear understanding of their roles and the tasks that they are to accomplish. For the project manager, the reports provide them with updated relevant data. Lastly, project reports serve a basis for the decisions that have to be made at the top management level.

Project Status Report

The most common type of project report, a progress report provides a general state of the project to its stakeholders. It quantifies work performed and completed in measurable terms. It compares this with an established baseline to see if the project is on track or; if adjustments have to be made if the project is behind its schedule. It keeps everyone on the same page and manages each other’s expectations.

Project status reports are accomplished to serve the following purposes;

• to keep an updated flow of information in relation to the project’s progress
• to immediately address issues and concerns that may come up at any point of the project’s implementation or duration
• to document reasons for changes and adjustments made to the original plan for the project
• to monitor fund utilization and to ensure that the project expenses are still within the budget
• to serve as a basis for decision-making and addressing problems
• to keep track of the team’s performance and individual contributions
• to act as a uniform procedure for communicating project development to the stakeholders.

Status reports are most effective when they follow a standard form with predefined fields that need to be regularly updated. Doing so will save time and provide consistency and predictability of the information the stakeholders will receive about the status of the project.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

For a status report to be comprehensive, it must include the following elements:

Summary/overall health of the project, facts on the project progress, target vs. actual accomplishments, action(s) taken, risks and issues, keys to an effective project status report.

• Submit the report on time . A status report is time sensitive and sending it late defeats the purpose of such a report.
• Giving complete but inaccurate information is just as bad as giving accurate but incomplete information . Since stakeholders rely on the status report for a heads-up on the project, and its content is used as the basis for decision-making, it is critical that the report provides both complete and accurate information.
• Do not cover up bad news or adverse reports as these are all part of the transparency of the status report . Keep in mind that being open with the stakeholders, whether the project is sailing smoothly or not, will benefit both the team and the client, since any problems there are will be immediately given attention and solved.
• Be proud of the team’s accomplishments, after all, this is what the clients and the stakeholders will want to know about .
• Anticipate questions from the clients or stakeholders and be prepared to answer them .
• Be familiar with the culture of the organization and respect the information hierarchy they observe . There are instances when the CEO wants to be the first to know about the contents of these reports before cascading it to his downlines. On the other hand, middle managers will want a head start on these reports so they can also anticipate and prepare for any reaction from the top executives.
• Craft the status report in such a way that there will be no information overload . It should contain necessary information that the stakeholders need to know. Lengthy reports will consume not only the writer’s time but also that of the reader. Too many details also give an impression of micro management.

Risk Registers

All projects, or any activities of business, face risks. It is just a matter of how an organization identifies, assesses, analyzes, and monitors these risks. With a Risk Register, an organization is equipped with a tool to better respond to problems that may arise because of these risks. It helps in the decision-making process and enables the stakeholders to take care of the threats in the best way possible.

A Risk Register, also called an Issue Log, is iterative because it will be updated periodically depending on how often the team identifies a potential risk. It may also be updated if the characteristics of the existing potential risks change as the project progresses. 

The Risk Register document contains information about the following:

Risk Identification

• Risk Category:  Grouping these risks under different categories is helpful. Doing so will provide a way to make a plan of action that will address most, if not all of the risks falling under the same category, saving time, effort, and resources.
• Risk Description:  Provide a brief explanation of the identified potential risk. The description can be done in a variety of ways depending on the level of detail. A general description can be difficult to address while giving too much detail about the risk may entail a significant amount of work. Three factors to consider when making a risk description are: the way these risks are going to be managed, who will handle them, and the reporting requirements of the person receiving the risk register.
• Risk ID:  Assign a unique identification code to each risk identified to track it in the risk register easily. Create a system of coding in such a way that the category to which the said risk belongs is easily identifiable.

Risk Analysis

• Project Impact: Indicate the potential effect of the assumed risk on different aspects of the project such as budget, timelines, quality, and performance.
• Likelihood: Referring to the possibility of the risk occurring, the likelihood can be expressed qualitatively—high, medium, low—or quantitatively, if there is enough information available. Whatever criteria are to be used, assign a number—with the highest value corresponding to that which is most likely to occur.

A. Negligible B. Minor C. Moderate D. Significant E. Severe 

Here’s how it will look in a tabular form:

Risk Evaluation

Using the table above, the identified risk can be ranked this way:

• Risk Trigger: These are the potential risk events that will trigger the implementation of a contingency plan based on the risk management plan. This plan should have been prepared prior to the development of a risk register.

Risk Treatment

• Prevention Plan: This enumerates the steps or action to be taken to prevent the risks from occurring.
• Contingency Plan: On the other hand, the contingency plan determines the steps or action to be taken once the risk events have occurred. This program also contains the measures to be taken to reduce the impact of such risks to the project.
• Risk Owner: The person responsible for managing risk, and the implementation of the prevention and contingency plans, it can be anyone among the stakeholders—members of the team, a project manager, or project sponsors.
• Residual Risk: Sometimes, a risk cannot be entirely eliminated after treatment. Part of it may linger throughout the duration of the project, but once it has been treated, it can be considered as a low-level risk.

Keys to an Effective Risk Register

• The first risk register must be created as soon as the project plan and the risk management plan has been approved . This initial risk register must be integrated into the project plan.
• Active risks during a particular period must also be included in the project status report .
• Risk management is an iterative process which is why the risk register must also be updated from time to time . Updates can be made when new risks are identified or there have been changes in the risks already in the register.
• The numerical value assigned to the likelihood and severity levels must remain constant throughout the duration of the whole project .
• Likewise, any terms used must be defined, and this definition must be utilized consistently .

Project Closure Report

As the end of a project, a Project Closure Report signals its culmination. Its submission officially concludes a project and implies that funds and resources will no longer be needed, and everything will go back to its status prior to the implementation of the project.

This process is critical as it will officially tie up all loose ends and prevent confusion among stakeholders.

This particular type of project report summarizes information on the project results, the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the project delivery process, and the feedback from the stakeholders. Each performance metric includes an assessment and a narration of how the team performed on such metrics.

This performance metric describes how the team utilized the budget in carrying out the project effectively. Under this performance metric, the following aspects are measured:

Component Breakdown

Budget variance, explanations for key variances.

Describe how the team implemented the project within the expected time frame and schedule.

Overall Project Duration

Schedule variance, the explanations for key variances, change management.

This metric refers to the team’s ability to handle and manage changes throughout the project’s implementation effectively. It is measured through the following:

Total Number of Changes

The impact of the changes, the highlight of changes, quality management.

This particular metric refers to the team’s ability to observe and comply with quality standards during the project’s implementation.

Total Number of Defects Identified

The explanation for resolved defects, risk and issue management.

This metric deals with how risks and matters that occurred during project implementation were handled and resolved by the team. Key points to include are the following:

The impact of the Risks and Issues to the Project

Human resource management.

This refers to the team’s ability to carry out the project effectively.

Project Organization Structure

This metric looks at how the stakeholders participated in the project.

Decision-makers

Communication management.

Under this metric, communication throughout the duration of the project is assessed.

Communication Management Plan

• Summarize essential feedback collected . Describe the method by which these comments were gathered and who was solicited for feedback. Also include how they responded to each question and briefly discuss which items received great responses from the participants and which ones got few answers.
• Take note of common themes or trends of feedback gathered .
• From the feedback gathered, also take note of any opportunities from this feedback and discuss how these opportunities can be applied to future projects, or in the organization itself .

Lesson Learned

• Give a brief discussion of what the team learned when carrying out the project . Among these learnings, discuss which ones can be applied to future projects and how it will impact not only those future projects but also the whole organization.

Other Metrics

Other points of interest may not have been captured in the Project Status Report and may be included in the Project Closeout Report. Some of these factors include:

Duration and Effort by Project Phase

Benefits realized, benchmark comparisons, keys to an effective project closure report.

• The closure report is mostly a summary of all efforts related to the project . It is important to ensure that all highlights of the project have been properly documented so that retrieval of these reports is easier and all efforts will be acknowledged.
• Emphasize the high points the project delivered, how efficiently it was done, and what has been learned from the process.
• If there are notable variances during the project implementation, make sure to provide a fact-based explanation on it . In addition, the impact of this difference must also be described.
• A critical point in a project closure report is establishing the link between the project performance, the lessons learned, and the steps that will be taken by the organization for its continuous improvement . Aside from the project deliverables, another valuable output of a project is the learnings derived from the process and how it will be translated into concrete concepts applicable to the business processes of the organization.

Executive Summary

A little bit different from the types of project reports previously mentioned, an Executive Summary  is a distinct kind of report which uses different language. It is a high-level report which aims to provide a bigger and deeper understanding of the project—how it will benefit the organization and how it will fit into future business strategies. It is written with a busy executive in mind, someone who has a lot of important things to do and may find reading a lengthy piece of prose a waste of precious time. Factual and objective, this particular type of project report must be able to provide a realistic status of the project, as business executives understand that everything may not go according to the plan.

Some may confuse an executive summary with an abstract but, in reality, they are clearly distinct from one another and serve a different purpose.

An abstract is usually written for academic or scientific papers. It is written with a topic sentence which, generally, gives an overview of what the article is about. It is, then, supported by two or three supporting sentences which support the main idea of the topic sentence.

An executive summary, on the other hand, is composed of different sections discussing almost every significant aspect of an undertaking. It consists of sequentially arranged key points supported by conclusions and recommendations. Check our in-depth article on how to write an effective executive summary .

Things to Remember in Writing Project Reports

Here are some of the principles that need to be observed in writing an effective project report;

Write for the reader

The report should have a structure, ensure that the report is evidence-based and is supported by data, make it as objective as possible, project report: free download.

Download Project Status Report XLSX

Download Project Update Report DOC

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Download General Project Report DOCX

Additional Sources

• How to Write an Outstanding Weekly Report + Free Template Download
• How to Write a Project Status Dashboard and Project Tracking + Free Template Download
• How to Create a Project Meeting Template + Free Download

How to Write a Project Report In 5 Easy Steps (Template Included)

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Last updated on 9th May 2024

The reasons why projects fail are plentiful but it typically comes back to poor planning or a lack of organisation. 

A solid project report can eliminate these issues and ensure you stay on track to complete your goals.

So, let’s take a look at how to write a project report in 5 easy steps…

What is a project report?

A project report is a document that contains helpful information so that teams can ensure their project stays on track, runs successfully, and completes on time. 

There are different types of project reports that are used at different periods throughout a project’s lifespan, but they all contain similar data that covers things like progress, tasks, roadblocks, stakeholders, and financial information. 

Why is a project report important?

Project reports are important for many reasons. A project report gives your project a sense of direction that can help you maintain consistency throughout the project, even as it passes between different people and teams. Your project report will also be a great document to refer back to if things get difficult, so you can stay on track. 

Even in the first instance, before your project kicks off, a project report can help you to manage your budget, workload, and any foreseen risks. It can also give stakeholders insight into the specifics of the project to help manage expectations from the start. 

Types of project report

There are many different types of project reports that will help you manage different aspects of your project. For example, a resource report will help you to understand the resources you’ll need for the project, how much resource you have at your disposal, and will also help you to predict when your resources will need to be replenished. Other examples include:

Now, let’s dive into 3 of the biggest, most important types of project reports.

1. General project report

This is your first project report. It should cover predictions and plans for how you expect the project to go, and give you a clear sense of direction when it comes to things like budget , timelines, and everything else you need to keep track of in order for your project to be considered a success. 

2. Progress report

A progress report – as you may have guessed – comes in the middle and helps you document your progress. It’s important to keep reassessing your project to see if you are where you expect to be and to help you make adjustments along the way. 

3. Project completion report

As you wrap up your project, a project completion report can be a great way to reflect on what went well and what went wrong. This can not only help you wrap up the current project neatly, it can also inform future projects and ensure you don’t make the same mistakes twice.

How to write a project report in only 5 steps

There are many different types of project reports. So, of course, the writing of each one will differ slightly depending on who they are aimed at and what the content of the project report is. 

However, there are still some core steps to follow for each. Let’s take a look at how to write a project report in 5 steps. 

1. Start with the basics

At the very top of your project report should be a simple table that includes all of the core information for the project. Here’s an example: 

The table for your project will probably vary slightly to this, but hopefully this gives you an idea of the most important top-level information to include. 

Underneath this table you should have a short summary of the project. This can be just a couple of sentences that sum up the objectives and goals. Think of this kind of like an elevator pitch for the project. 

2. Cover your objectives

Now it’s time to go into more detail. List out each objective for the project, including what you need to do to achieve each one. 

For example, let’s pretend our project is to create a brand video. There are many objectives, such as: 

Each objective will need to be completed in order to go on to the next. And each objective requires different resources and skill sets. All of this should be recorded, in detail, in your project report. 

3. List your obstacles

Next, list any predicted obstacles or risks. This may feel like a waste of time because of course you’re going to be avoiding risks and obstacles as often as you can. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential roadblocks that might appear so that you are prepared to handle them without slowing down. 

Some example obstacles for the brand video project could be: 

Next to each obstacle, jot down a quick plan for how you would solve this issue if it happened. For example, for “weather ruins a shoot” your potential solution could be to “choose a backup location”.

4. Create a project timeline

With any project, it’s important to know how long everything’s going to take. This is the best way to estimate how much time, money, and resource is required. 

A project timeline will help plot a path forward. To create a project timeline all you need to do is break down each objective into tasks and add a deadline for each task. It also helps to add an owner to each task, so you know who the point of contact is for each section of the timeline. 

This can be tricky to manage but becomes so much easier with a project management tool, like Project.co . When you create a project on Project.co, all of your clients and team members can see everything that goes on with the project in one centralised place. This includes tasks that can be allocated to team members, assigned a date, and a status – so everyone involved in the project can see how it’s progressing: 

You can also add comments, attachments, priority tags, and more. 

Plus, it’s easy to keep track of several tasks at once by using the calendar view: 

Other views available are kanban, list, and scheduler. 

5. Cover project communication

Somewhere on your project report you should include a link to your communication guidelines . This will help everyone involved on the project to understand what’s expected of them when it comes to communication, for example what tools to use and how to communicate. 

This can help your project run more smoothly and create a better result for everyone. According to our Communication Statistics 2022 , 94% of people feel that the businesses they deal with could improve when it comes to communication and project management . 

Writing a project report: 7 top tips 

1. be clear.

The perfect project report is clear and concise. Try your best to leave no room for errors or misunderstandings, and write in short definitive sentences. 

Being clear is especially important when it comes to timelines and targets. It can be helpful to plot out your tasks in a visual way, like a kanban view . This will make your project timeline easy to scan and understand.  

2. Be thorough

While it’s important to be clear and concise, it’s equally important to be thorough. Try to include as much relevant information in your project reports as possible.

One of the main functions of project reports, particularly project status reports, is to inform stakeholders on the progress of the project. So the more thorough you can be, the better. 

3. Be appropriate

A project report is an internal document that’s likely going to be shared between many different departments or teams in your business, so it’s important to make sure your language is appropriate. 

Keep the culture of the business in mind when writing your report. Use the same kind of tone and language that you would in other internal communication documents. This is especially important when you consider more than a third (35%) of businesses have lost an employee because of poor internal communication . 

4. Be honest

Your project report is not the place to sugarcoat anything. You should be honest, and brutally so. This means giving accurate and realistic figures, deliverables and deadlines. 

A project report should be a factual account so that everyone has a clear understanding of the data and knows exactly what to expect from the project. 

5. Be quick

It may seem contradictory to tell you to be thorough and quick with your project reports, but this just means don’t overload people with unnecessary information. Be succinct and to-the-point with every aspect of the report, from points of contact to resources and any potential roadblocks. 

The idea is for your project reports to be as easy to digest as possible, especially if you’re supplying busy stakeholders with a steady stream of ongoing status reports. 

6. Be prepared

No project runs perfectly, so it can be helpful to be prepared for bumps in the road. You might want to leave an ‘other’ or ‘notes’ section at the bottom of your report where you can jot down anything that’s changed along the way. 

It can also help to leave room for slight adjustments in your timeline. Just a couple of buffer days here and there can really reduce stress for your teams, and also help ensure your deadlines are more realistic. 

7. Be proud

When you’re carefully documenting things like risks and problems, your project report can become pretty gloomy. So it’s important to even it out by also celebrating your team’s achievements. 

Every project has ups and downs, and by giving as much attention to the ‘ups’ as you do the ‘downs’ you can boost team morale and this can be reflected back on your project. 

Free project report template

As promised, here is your free project report template ! 

Final thoughts

A solid project report can act almost like a map that clearly directs you towards your end goal, helping you to avoid risks along the way and take the best route to success.

In addition to a project report, a project management platform can also help you to maintain your focus and manage your project with ease, thanks to centralised communication and complete visibility of all your work. Click here to get started for free .

Written by Samantha Ferguson

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Research Progress Report

Report generator.

Progress reports . You heard of them, you may even think they are useful or useless. You may also think that as a student, you don’t have to write them. However, this is not always the case. A research progress report is nothing short as one of the necessary reports you need to make. When it comes to writing reports, a lot of students may feel the need to complain due to the fact that writing reports can be boring or simply a waste of time. What they don’t know is that giving a report is useful for their professors, especially when it is used as a way to know the progress of their performance, school projects, or research activities. So take a good look at these examples to help you out with your research progress report.

10+ Research Progress Report Examples

1. research progress report template.

• Google Docs

2. Summer Stipend Research Progress Report

Size: 31 KB

3. Biomedical Research Progress Report

Size: 150 KB

4. Research Performance Progress Report

Size: 76 KB

5. Weekly Research Progress Report

Size: 103 KB

6. Printable Research Progress Report

Size: 681 KB

7. Research Fellow Progress Report

8. Human Research Progress Report

Size: 117 KB

9. Editable Research Progress Report

Size: 113 KB

10. Candidate Research Progress Report

Size: 290 KB

11. Annual Research Progress Report

What Is a Research Progress Report?

The progress of your research . Whether that progress will be a lot or not as much. The report consists of the detailed progress you give to your superior or for students’ cases to their professors on how their research assignment or research project is going. In addition to that, a research progress report not only consists of the exact progress, but it also consists of what you have been doing, how the research is going, and of course the information you are going to be giving or the evidence whether positive or negative. Everything is written there. A research progress report is a document that clearly states what it is supposed to state.

How to Write a Research Progress Report?

To write a research progress report , there are a lot of ways to do so. Regardless of how you plan it out, draft it out and finalize it, there are still some things you have to think about when you want to proceed. Here are some tips that will get you started with your research progress report.

1. Write the Title of Your Report

The title of your report should at least be about what your research is about. It does not have to be something too fancy that the whole point of the report is lost or too obvious that would make the report redundant.

2. State the Achievements That Have Been Done

Any achievement that has been done or recorded should be written down, no matter how minuscule or large these achievements are. Progress is progress and it should also be recorded.

3. State the Name of the Researchers

The researchers names should also at least be a part of the report, especially if it is a group research. It is always best to add the names of the people involved in helping you with the progress of your report or the progress of your research. Give them some credit.

4. Give the Expected Publication for the Research

There are some who may be asking for the expected publication of your research . If this were the case, at least give the expected date of the research; however, as for the report, when you are done writing it, you should immediately check if you have everything written for it to be presentable.

5. Add the Statistics and Evidence to Support Your Report

The statistics and evidence to support your report should also be present. The reason for having to add evidence for a progress report is to show your professors or your superiors enough to compare the previous progress reports to the current report, regardless if there is any progress or the lack of it.

What is a research progress report?

A research progress report is a document that summarizes the progress of a research made by students. In order for their professors to know the exact ongoing of their research, the students are tasked to write about what is going on with their report and how far are they to achieving it.

Are there other ways to write a research progress report?

There are other ways, but the most common is writing it in an essay form. Of course, you can also fill out a form that states a research progress report form. But it is usual to present it in paragraph form in order for your professors to see the details of the statistics given.

Is a research progress report short or long?

A general research progress report is expected to be a page long. However, this would depend on how much progress you have made throughout your research and how much reports you have done in order to compare from your previous ones.

We are taught to write progress reports while we are still in school, so when we are out there in the real world, we are able to understand the reason and the purpose of writing these kinds of reports. A research progress report is simply just another kind of progress report that we are taught to write. It helps your teachers know where your progress is at the moment and how long are they going to expect your research project to be completed.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate a report on the impact of technology in the classroom on student learning outcomes

Prepare a report analyzing the trends in student participation in sports and arts programs over the last five years at your school.

• Faculty of Business and Economics
• Our research at a glance
• Indigenous Economic Power Project (IEPP)

Indigenous Economic Power Project (IEPP) - Snapshot annual reports

IEPP identifies Indigenous businesses and corporations, tracking their characteristics and measuring their impact on the Australian economy.

The problem​

Indigenous businesses contribute substantially to the Australian economy and First Nations communities. A lack of data makes it hard to assess what can support them and the whole ecosystem to grow. ​

The research​

Working with Indigenous business data custodians and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the IEPP identifies Indigenous businesses and corporations and tracks characteristics, such as employment, profitability, longevity, ownership structure and industry composition.

Snapshot 3.0, the latest IEPP report, is the most complete picture of the ecosystem to date. Now including non-registered Indigenous sole traders and partnerships, it shows that First Nations businesses and corporations contribute over $16 billion every year, employing 116,795 people in almost 14,000 firms. ​With information from 2021-22 now in the dataset, the research team also explore the impact of Covid-19 health policies on the survival rates of Indigenous firms.

The impact​

The IEPP provides valuable information for governments and corporations wanting to develop effective procurement policies and grant programs that benefit small enterprises as well as large and foster a balanced and sustainable business ecosystem.

Department:  Management Area: Policy, politics and law; Processes and practice

Researchers

Michelle Evans

Cain Polidano

Julie Moschion

Sarah Dahmann

Sustainable development goals.

We align our research activity with the United Nations'  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .

What Are Project Reports? Components, Types, and Uses

Project management can be defined as an academic field concerned with the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects. Of these tools, the project report occupies the central role since this tool is used in the form of a report that highlights the project and its condition, problems, and results achieved by the stakeholders. It is important for project managers and any other professional seeking to become PMP certified to appreciate the purpose, types, and uses of project reports that are used in projects. These aspects will be explored in this blog on how project reports can be effectively utilized in managing projects.

What is a Project Report?

A project report is a written report containing information on project aspects such as achievements, challenges, and outcomes. It represents the present state of the project and the accomplishments, issues faced, and deviations vis a vis the plan formulated earlier. Furthermore, this report is a documentary, a necessary component in project management, which contains an overall analysis that can help in the decision, thus addressing the course requirements aligned with the project goals.

Furthermore, for people who aspire to pass a PMP examination, the ability to create and analyze project reports is significant. These reports are part of the continuum of other project management knowledge known as the PMBOK , which is the basis for the PMP exam. Gathering the project reports is not only useful when preparing for the PMP exam, but also when working on actual projects.

What are the Components of Project Reports?

The components of project reports are as follows:

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is the first element to be placed in a project report but the last to be composed. It is a summary of the entire report focusing on essential information about the project when it was completed, and what was discovered. Furthermore, this section facilitates immediate understanding by the stakeholders, executives, or readers at first glance without the need to scour through the document. It should capture the project goals, outcomes, conclusions, and recommendations in a very simple way. In short, this section provides critical context for the report, laying the foundation for the subsequent analysis and insights.

2. Introduction

The introduction serves as the foundation of the project report. It explains the context of the project, including its background and rationale. This is essential in questioning why the project began in the first place. What is the problem that it is planned to solve or the opportunity it seeks to exploit? Here, you also describe the project scope management , and what is included in the work and what is not, to help the audience understand the limits of the report. Thus, by clearly setting the stage in the introduction, you align your readers with the project’s purpose.

3. Objectives

It provides a clear and specific description of what was undertaken and achieved which represents the goals or targets in the project. These objectives must be SMART, namely Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, a measure could be to increase the levels of customer fulfillment by 15% in the next half an educational year due to the upgrade in the standards of services being offered. Thus, managers’ purpose statements help stakeholders and set goals to measure project effectiveness.

4. Methodology

Critically important for describing how the project was implemented. It outlines how information is collected and how tasks are performed. For instance, if it involved research, one would discuss the procedures that were followed in data collection activities such as surveys, interviews, and data mining among others, and why the specific approach was embraced. Depending on the details of the case, this part may also involve aspects linked to the schedule, usage of resources, and people involved in the project. The purpose is to provide the audience with a clear understanding of the processes followed in accomplishing the findings and make the work reproducible.

5. Findings/Analysis

Here, you describe the findings and recommendations for the data gathered in the project. Depending on the nature of the project, it may entail statistical data, surveys, or specific operation information. Moreover, they apply the results to answer the initial questions, and objectives of the work indicated in the syllabus or class guidelines. It is recommended to use charts, tables, or graphs to support the information and make it easy to understand. Additionally, the section should show achieved results and if the project met objectives with supporting evidence.

6. Conclusion

The conclusion wraps up the entire project and gives an overview of all the key results noted in the project. It should provide an analysis as to whether the set objectives were completed and assess the general implication of the results. In addition, it brings together all the aspects of the report, corroborating the assertion of the project’s value in addressing the problem stated at the onset or fulfilling the need established at the start. Also, a chance to report any unforeseen problems or new observations that emerged during the work, providing a thorough recap.

7. Recommendations

Recommendations present data analysis results and recommendations derived from the project. Closely related, they provide recommendations on how to respond to identified issues, build upon achieved accomplishments, or enhance performance outcomes. For instance, if a project report was to show that there were weaknesses in a certain process, then a suggestion could be to acquire a new software application to organize the process.

Types of Project Reports

There are several types of project reports, each serving a different purpose and audience. So, Understanding these types is essential for effective project management and is a key component of the PMP certification curriculum.

1. Status Report

Customarily floated periodically to report the updated state of the project. They identify and outline what has been done, what is being done, and the challenges or risks experienced in the process. On this same note, status reports are useful in making sure that everyone involved is up to date and on the same page regarding the project, and that any issues are corrected immediately. These may contain elements of the planned as well as actual schedules, costs, and resource utilization.

2. Progress Report

It is a more specific report on the events that have been accomplished in a given phase of the project. This identifies the tasks that have been done and which ones are still ongoing, which helps in measuring the degree of progress toward the set goals and objectives. In addition, this kind of report is commonly necessary in the middle of a large project to show that the team is working properly and to make changes if needed. It is used as a control to determine if the project management plan requires any adjustments for the project to get back on track.

3. Feasibility Report

Evaluates the feasibility and possibilities of a suggested plan or strategy. It looks at various factors like costs, time, resources, and risks to decide whether he or she should proceed with or support the project. Further, it is useful to decision-makers when presenting an impartial assessment of the probable results of the vs. For instance, if engaged in the development of a new product, a feasibility report would comprise an analysis of market demand, cost of production, and possible sales revenue.

4. Final Report

The project is closed at the end of the performance and a comprehensive report on the project life cycle . It may encompass the project aim, strategies, results, and the general conclusion of the project. Therefore, this type of report is important for identifying various lessons that have been learned as well as assessing whether the project was successful or not. Furthermore, it can be used as a future resource that shows other team’s performance improvements based on their experience on the project.

5. Risk Report

Intelligently recognizes hazards that are likely to impede the realization of a given project. It captures the hazards, assesses the probability, and severity of the risk, and provides recommendations. Biweekly or weekly risk reports are crucial for project stability, allowing teams to identify and address risks before they escalate. A good risk report identifies both current and potential future risks, preparing teams for issues that may arise later.

6. Technical Report

A technical report delves into the technical aspects of the project, often focusing on methodologies, engineering processes, or scientific data. It is most common in industries such as IT, engineering, and research. Moreover, this report provides detailed insights into the technical work done during the project and is often used for documenting innovations, processes, and technical findings. It helps ensure that future teams can replicate the work or build upon it without starting from scratch

Uses of Project Reports

These reports are versatile in their applicability in managing projects, which makes them indispensable tools. The following are some of the key uses:

1. Performance Tracking

Project reports are used to monitor the actual performance of the project relative to the set goals. It is a direct comparison between how much has been done and what should have been done according to the project management plan and the project manager acts accordingly. Thus, it is especially relevant for PMP certification holders as performance measurement and tracking are among the competencies of project management.

2. Stakeholder Communication

Stakeholder communication is an important component of project management to enhance project outcomes. Project reports serve the purpose of escalating the information concerning the progress of the projects. Moreover, it assists in keeping expectations under control and retaining the stakeholders’ support during the complete life cycle of the project.

3. Decision-Making

Business project reports supply the details and the findings essential for making the appropriate business decisions. In summary, project reports contain the information necessary to make strategic decisions about the project, such as when to allocate more resources, change the timing of the project, or effectively address new risks.

4. Risk Management

Risk mitigation is an important consideration when it comes to project management , and project reports are integral in this process. Also, Project managers discuss and evaluate different risks in daily reports, actively working to prevent their impact on success.

5. Financial Management

Cost reports and other financial project reports are invaluable for monitoring the project budget. Planners identify cost overruns by comparing actual expenses to the budget and adjust costs to stay within budget limits.

6. Resource Management

Resource reports assist project managers in determining the efficient and effective use of resources. Thus, the information about the actual distribution helps to determine their scarcity and to decide on further actions.

7. Documentation and Reporting

Project reports are legal documents that can provide a formal account of a project that has been implemented. Project Documentation is important not only for the particular project it is created for but also for the future. Use these reports in lessons-learned sessions, post-project evaluations, or during planning for related projects.

PMP certification candidates must learn the various types of project reports and their use across different project phases. Also, they cover the PMP certification exam and provide knowledge that will come in handy while handling projects in that field.

So, as you continue your journey in project management, whether through professional experience or PMP , remember that effective reporting is not just about filling in templates or meeting deadlines. It’s about creating meaningful, actionable documents that provide the insights needed to drive your projects to successful completion.

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• How to Write a Results Section | Tips & Examples

How to Write a Results Section | Tips & Examples

Published on August 30, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

A results section is where you report the main findings of the data collection and analysis you conducted for your thesis or dissertation . You should report all relevant results concisely and objectively, in a logical order. Don’t include subjective interpretations of why you found these results or what they mean—any evaluation should be saved for the discussion section .

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Table of contents

How to write a results section, reporting quantitative research results, reporting qualitative research results, results vs. discussion vs. conclusion, checklist: research results, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about results sections.

When conducting research, it’s important to report the results of your study prior to discussing your interpretations of it. This gives your reader a clear idea of exactly what you found and keeps the data itself separate from your subjective analysis.

Here are a few best practices:

• Your results should always be written in the past tense.
• While the length of this section depends on how much data you collected and analyzed, it should be written as concisely as possible.
• Only include results that are directly relevant to answering your research questions . Avoid speculative or interpretative words like “appears” or “implies.”
• If you have other results you’d like to include, consider adding them to an appendix or footnotes.
• Always start out with your broadest results first, and then flow into your more granular (but still relevant) ones. Think of it like a shoe store: first discuss the shoes as a whole, then the sneakers, boots, sandals, etc.

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If you conducted quantitative research , you’ll likely be working with the results of some sort of statistical analysis .

Your results section should report the results of any statistical tests you used to compare groups or assess relationships between variables . It should also state whether or not each hypothesis was supported.

The most logical way to structure quantitative results is to frame them around your research questions or hypotheses. For each question or hypothesis, share:

• A reminder of the type of analysis you used (e.g., a two-sample t test or simple linear regression ). A more detailed description of your analysis should go in your methodology section.
• A concise summary of each relevant result, both positive and negative. This can include any relevant descriptive statistics (e.g., means and standard deviations ) as well as inferential statistics (e.g., t scores, degrees of freedom , and p values ). Remember, these numbers are often placed in parentheses.
• A brief statement of how each result relates to the question, or whether the hypothesis was supported. You can briefly mention any results that didn’t fit with your expectations and assumptions, but save any speculation on their meaning or consequences for your discussion  and conclusion.

A note on tables and figures

In quantitative research, it’s often helpful to include visual elements such as graphs, charts, and tables , but only if they are directly relevant to your results. Give these elements clear, descriptive titles and labels so that your reader can easily understand what is being shown. If you want to include any other visual elements that are more tangential in nature, consider adding a figure and table list .

As a rule of thumb:

• Tables are used to communicate exact values, giving a concise overview of various results
• Graphs and charts are used to visualize trends and relationships, giving an at-a-glance illustration of key findings

Don’t forget to also mention any tables and figures you used within the text of your results section. Summarize or elaborate on specific aspects you think your reader should know about rather than merely restating the same numbers already shown.

A two-sample t test was used to test the hypothesis that higher social distance from environmental problems would reduce the intent to donate to environmental organizations, with donation intention (recorded as a score from 1 to 10) as the outcome variable and social distance (categorized as either a low or high level of social distance) as the predictor variable.Social distance was found to be positively correlated with donation intention, t (98) = 12.19, p < .001, with the donation intention of the high social distance group 0.28 points higher, on average, than the low social distance group (see figure 1). This contradicts the initial hypothesis that social distance would decrease donation intention, and in fact suggests a small effect in the opposite direction.

Figure 1: Intention to donate to environmental organizations based on social distance from impact of environmental damage.

In qualitative research , your results might not all be directly related to specific hypotheses. In this case, you can structure your results section around key themes or topics that emerged from your analysis of the data.

For each theme, start with general observations about what the data showed. You can mention:

• Recurring points of agreement or disagreement
• Patterns and trends
• Particularly significant snippets from individual responses

Next, clarify and support these points with direct quotations. Be sure to report any relevant demographic information about participants. Further information (such as full transcripts , if appropriate) can be included in an appendix .

When asked about video games as a form of art, the respondents tended to believe that video games themselves are not an art form, but agreed that creativity is involved in their production. The criteria used to identify artistic video games included design, story, music, and creative teams.One respondent (male, 24) noted a difference in creativity between popular video game genres:

“I think that in role-playing games, there’s more attention to character design, to world design, because the whole story is important and more attention is paid to certain game elements […] so that perhaps you do need bigger teams of creative experts than in an average shooter or something.”

Responses suggest that video game consumers consider some types of games to have more artistic potential than others.

Your results section should objectively report your findings, presenting only brief observations in relation to each question, hypothesis, or theme.

It should not  speculate about the meaning of the results or attempt to answer your main research question . Detailed interpretation of your results is more suitable for your discussion section , while synthesis of your results into an overall answer to your main research question is best left for your conclusion .

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I have completed my data collection and analyzed the results.

I have included all results that are relevant to my research questions.

I have concisely and objectively reported each result, including relevant descriptive statistics and inferential statistics .

I have stated whether each hypothesis was supported or refuted.

I have used tables and figures to illustrate my results where appropriate.

All tables and figures are correctly labelled and referred to in the text.

There is no subjective interpretation or speculation on the meaning of the results.

You've finished writing up your results! Use the other checklists to further improve your thesis.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The results chapter of a thesis or dissertation presents your research results concisely and objectively.

In quantitative research , for each question or hypothesis , state:

• The type of analysis used
• Relevant results in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics
• Whether or not the alternative hypothesis was supported

In qualitative research , for each question or theme, describe:

• Recurring patterns
• Significant or representative individual responses
• Relevant quotations from the data

Don’t interpret or speculate in the results chapter.

Results are usually written in the past tense , because they are describing the outcome of completed actions.

The results chapter or section simply and objectively reports what you found, without speculating on why you found these results. The discussion interprets the meaning of the results, puts them in context, and explains why they matter.

In qualitative research , results and discussion are sometimes combined. But in quantitative research , it’s considered important to separate the objective results from your interpretation of them.

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How MODRN Aims to Improve Quality Measurement and Inform Medicaid Policy

Leveraging this unique research multi-state research network offers opportunities for both state Medicaid agencies and their university partners to advance evidence-informed Medicaid policy.

Medicaid programs vary in populations, services, payments, and administration and could serve as a laboratory for learning about optimal ways to meet the health needs of vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, the analytic infrastructure needed to support that learning is limited. The Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network ( MODRN ) was launched in 2017 by two existing networks – the State University Partnership Learning Network and the Medicaid Medical Directors Network – to address this Medicaid research gap and develop analytic and organizational infrastructure to support multi-state Medicaid analyses. MODRN seeks to address issues of national public health importance and measure the impact of innovative policies and interventions.   

How MODRN works   

MODRN is a distributed research network that conducts standardized analyses without sharing individual-level Medicaid data across states by relying on existing data use agreements between each participating state Medicaid agency and its university partner. Using the MODRN common data model that provides guidance on standard content and structure, university partners transform their state’s Medicaid data and run analytic code sent by a centralized data coordinating center, sending back aggregate results for pooled analyses and reporting. Importantly, each state’s university partner is highly engaged in the development of the standardized analytic code, drawing on their extensive knowledge of their states’ populations, services, and reimbursement policies. MODRN thus allows not only for standardized, but valid measurement of outcomes without the need for multiple data-sharing agreements across states.   

Early contributions to quality measurement   

When MODRN was launched in 2017 the opioid crisis was the dominant concern for the six initial network states. At the time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Medicaid Core Set of Quality Measures did not include a single quality measure related to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and states with Section 1115 demonstration waivers to expand substance use disorder treatment lacked valid measures to evaluate their impact. To fill these gaps, MODRN produced 21 measures of OUD treatment quality and outcomes, in just a few years, covering six domains:  

•  initiation and engagement in treatment  
• medications for opioid use disorder  
• follow up care  
• infectious disease screening  
• opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing  
• acute care and overdose; pregnancy and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.   

Measures were reported by population subgroups (sex, age, race/ethnicity, urbanicity, eligibility category) to help states identify inequities in treatment.   

How MODRN benefits states and their university partnerships  

MODRN provides direct benefits to its state Medicaid partners and enhances state-university partnerships. By offering state Medicaid partners benchmarking and counterfactuals, MODRN gives states performance indicators and shows what might happen if they adopt a policy another state has implemented. Informing Medicaid policy requires analyses that report on differences between states and examine why those differences exist. For example, two current MODRN projects focus on evaluating the impact of Medicaid policy on racial inequities in care and outcomes – one informs Medicaid coverage of doula services and the other examines the place, provider, plan, and policy drivers of inequities in medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD ). In addition to providing timely, multi-state analyses of Medicaid data, MODRN augments the internal analytic resources available within its participating partnerships. University partners frequently draw on MODRN measure specifications for other research conducted for their state partners, while MODRN members provide each other with technical assistance, collaboration, mentoring, and a sounding board for new ideas. State Medicaid leaders learn from their colleagues during regular convenings, sharing MODRN findings and shaping the research agenda of the network. In these ways, MODRN provides a crucial opportunity for learning across states.  

What’s next for MODRN  

Building on its success with quality measure development for OUD, MODRN is well-positioned to address gaps in the Medicaid Core Set. The network is currently working to develop a measure of the cascade of care for chronic viral hepatitis screening and treatment, an identified gap for several years. Future work will also focus on addressing critical gaps in quality measures for youth mental health, as well as informing the implementation and evaluation of Section 1115 demonstration waivers to address health needs shaped by housing insecurity, food insecurity, and involvement with the criminal justice system.   

If you are interested in learning more about MODRN, please contact Julie Donohue or Susan Kennedy .   

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NLIHC Releases Annual Report 2023

NLIHC released our 2023 Annual Report  on August 22. The report provides a comprehensive picture of NLIHC’s advocacy activities, campaigns, research and publications, media accomplishments, and other achievements in 2023, as well as financial information and a list of members, partners, and donors. Read the 2023  Annual Report.

The report details NLIHC’s major achievements in 2023, including those of efforts like our End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions (ERASE) project. Launched in 2021, the ERASE project continued throughout 2023 to help state and local ERA programs around the country improve by providing implementation recommendations and models, leading to improvements in ERA disbursal. By the time the ERASE project officially concluded in December, $39.9 billion in ERA had been issued to renters in need, and the ERA program had made nearly 11.6 million payments to households. U.S. Treasury data indicate that 62% of beneficiaries were extremely low-income households. The ERASE project also hosted a three-part webinar series during the summer of 2023 highlighting the successes of members of the 2022-2023 ERASE cohort in supporting local tenant organizing efforts to increase housing stability. In addition to releasing a set of case studies highlighting the successes of five 2021-2022 cohort members, the project released six other publications in 2023:

• Eviction Record Sealing and Expungement Toolkit
• The State of Statewide Protections  
• Continuing Emergency Rental Assistance: How Jurisdictions Are Building on Treasury’s ERA Program  
• Beyond Housing Stability: Understanding Tenant and Landlord Experiences and the Impact of ERA
• Emergency Rental Assistance in Action
• End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions (ERASE): History, Successes, and Highlights

In all, the ERASE project’s work with state and local partners throughout the country resulted in more than 280 new state and local tenant protections being passed or implemented between 2021 and 2023, resulting in increased housing stability for millions of renter households.

NLIHC advocacy led to new federal support for the creation of tenant protections in 2023. In January, for example, the Biden-Harris administration released a Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights aiming to strengthen and enforce critical renter protections and announced new actions for federal agencies implementing housing assistance. NLIHC applauded the administration’s actions and engaged various agencies to ensure tenant perspectives were heard.

Advocacy by NLIHC and our partners resulted in Congress passing and President Biden signing into law a final fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending package that funded HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs at $70 billion – an $8.3 billion increase over FY23. In a major win for NLIHC’s HoUSed campaign amid a challenging political climate, the final spending bill provided significant resources for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which was funded at $32.4 billion, resulting in a $2.1 billion increase over FY23-enacted levels. Other programs – including Homeless Assistance Grants, the Public Housing Capital Fund, the Public Housing Operating Fund, and the Native American Housing Block Grant program – also received significant funding increases in the FY24 bill, contrary to expectations.

To support congressional advocacy efforts in 2023, NLIHC released two resources: Advancing Housing Justice in the 118th Congress , a memorandum addressed to the new Congress outlining the ongoing need for federal investments in affordable, accessible housing and the long-term solutions required to end the nation’s affordable housing and homelessness crises; and a Congressional Recess Toolkit , which offered comprehensive information about how to host site visits and in-district meetings with members of Congress and provided ideas about ways to advocate for increased federal funding for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs and for evidence-based solutions to homelessness.

NLIHC’s Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH) campaign welcomed three new state grantees in 2023: the Low Income Housing Coalition of Alabama, the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, and the Maryland Center on Economic Policy. The three new organizations joined a cohort of 26 state partners working to build a cross-sector movement to generate widespread support for federal policies that correct long-standing racial inequities and economic injustices by ensuring quality and affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes. With the help of technical and financial assistance from the OSAH campaign, the new grantees will broaden their states’ housing coalitions to include organizations from diverse sectors that can engage in federal advocacy. The OSAH campaign also announced a new grant opportunity for state-level organizations interested in expanding multi-sector partnerships and influencing federal housing policy. The new grant supports such involvement by providing selected state-based organizations with financial assistance for one year, as well as formal recognition as state affiliates of the OSAH national campaign.

Efforts by the HoUSed and OSAH campaigns led to the introduction in Congress of a raft of major housing-related bills as well as the creation of two important new caucuses in the House of Representatives: the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, which was reestablished by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) in February; and the Congressional Renters Caucus, which was created by Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) of the U.S. House of Representatives, along with Representatives Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and 10 other representatives.

NLIHC, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities continued their jointly hosted webinar series on homelessness and Housing First throughout most of 2023. The monthly calls shared critical information about solutions to homelessness and amplified the work of advocates and people with lived experience of homelessness. The calls, which ended in September, drew as many as 13,400 participants.

NLIHC and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released new updates in 2023 to the Rental Housing Programs Database (RHPD), a publicly available collection of information on state and locally funded programs that create, preserve, or increase access to affordable rental housing. NLIHC and CBPP also released an accompanying report, State and Local Investments in Rental Housing: A Summary of Findings from the 2023 Rental Housing Programs Database , offering a comprehensive overview of rental housing programs included in the updated RHPD.

NLIHC and the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC) also released a joint report analyzing the risks that natural hazards pose to federally assisted housing and its residents. The report, Natural Hazards and Federally Assisted Housing , found that nearly a quarter of federally assisted homes are in census tracts with the greatest risk of negative impacts from natural hazards and that heat waves pose the greatest threat to residents of federally assisted housing.

NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel provided testimony at three congressional hearings in 2023:

• “Building Consensus to Address Housing Challenges,” a hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in April.
• “Examining Competition and Consumer Rights in Housing Markets,” a hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Committee Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights in October.
• “Housing Affordability: Governmental Barriers and Market-Based Solutions,” a hearing held by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services in December.

NLIHC also received the largest gift of our history in 2023: a $15 million donation from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving. The gift was an extraordinary testament to NLIHC’s reach and impact and will provide transformative stability and resources for NLIHC to further expand both. Combined with the ongoing, critical support of other key foundations, donors, and partners, the gift allows NLIHC to develop our capacity, deepen and expand our collective partnerships and campaigns, and build the political will needed to advance our long-term policy solutions and achieve housing justice.

NLIHC made big strides in our IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-racism, and Systems-thinking) work in 2023. IDEAS is a major, organization-wide initiative to advance racial equity, inclusion, and diversity in our policy analysis and strategy, internal operations and relationships, and work with external partners. In 2023, we continued to pursue racial equity, inclusion, and diversity by:

• Submitting or signing on to comment letters supporting a new proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, including one letter submitted by NLIHC’s Tenant Leader Cohort, a group made up of people with lived experience of housing insecurity who are leading voices and advocates in their communities in the fight for housing justice.
• Publishing a series of briefs supporting adoption and improvement of the new proposed AFFH rule.
• Mobilizing advocates to pursue racial equity through our Racial Equity Cohort, a group of 16 NLIHC state and tribal partner organizations actively working to incorporate racial equity policies, tools, and practices into their organizations. After hosting 10 months of meetings, trainings, and workshops with housing advocates from across the country, NLIHC wrapped up the first Racial Equity Cohort in June. We initiated our second Racial Equity Cohort in November.
• Convening the second annual Collective Retreat (previously known as the Tenant and Community Leader Retreat) in October in Albany, Georgia, where members of our 2023-24 Collective (previously known as the Tenant Leader Cohort) gathered to discuss their shared goals for achieving housing justice and to engage in community healing in preparation for their upcoming work.
• Holding a convening of state and tribal partners in November in Washington, D.C. at which more than 30 people representing 22 of NLIHC’s partner organizations, along with all NLIHC staff and many board members, gathered for two days of networking, strategizing about advocacy initiatives, and deepening their commitment to racial equity.

Throughout 2023, NLIHC had frequent contact with Congress and the administration and achieved great success reaching audiences through media and social media engagement. Among other achievements, we:

• Made 560 contacts with congressional offices.
• Made 111 contacts with administration departments and offices.
• Conducted 185 meetings/convenings/webinars/forums attended by 12,269 participants.
• Participated in 25 sign-on or comment letters to federal decision makers.
• Issued 212 calls to action and updates to our network of 145,000 advocates.
• Presented at 101 events and forums attended by 5,667 people.
• Participated in 251 media interviews
• Offered research and expertise featured in 15,156 stories by media around the country.

At the same time, our website had approximately 1.77 million unique web visitors, and we had over 72,300 Twitter followers and 2.2 million Twitter impressions.

NLIHC published two new editions of  Tenant Talk  in 2023 – Advancing Tenant Protections: Building Tenant Power to Achieve Renter Equity and Taking Pride into Our Work – and continued to organize and host monthly Tenant Talk Live webinars with tenants and tenant leaders from across the country to address the issues and concerns of tenants related to tenant protections, emergency rental assistance, tenant empowerment, federal advocacy, racial justice, and other topics.

NLIHC also released a series of annual flagship publications, including:

• The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes , which found that extremely low-income renters in the U.S. were facing a shortage of nearly 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes. Between 2019 and 2021, this shortage increased by more than 500,000 rental homes, as the number of renters with extremely low incomes increased while the supply of housing affordable to them declined. The report called for greater federal investment in the preservation and expansion of the affordable housing stock, more Housing Choice Vouchers, a national housing stabilization fund for renters who experience an unexpected short-term financial shock, and federal tenant protections.
• Advocates’ Guide 2023 , which included new sections on tenant protections and eviction prevention efforts, including chapters on just cause eviction, right to counsel for tenants, and eviction diversion. The  2023   Guide  also included new chapters on community land trusts, as well as the latest information on the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and updates on a range of HUD regulations and housing-related legislation.
• Out of Reach 2023: The High Cost of Housing , which showed that millions of low-wage renters were struggling to afford their homes before the pandemic and would remain in economically precarious positions without significant congressional action. According to the report, the national “Housing Wage” needed to afford rental housing was $28.58 per hour for a modest two-bedroom home at fair market rent and $23.67 per hour for a modest one-bedroom rental home. The 2023 report showed how high rents had combined with the expiration of many pandemic-era benefit programs to exacerbate the financial insecurity of low-income renters, leading to higher eviction filing rates and increased homelessness.

NLIHC also hosted a series of major events in 2023. These included our 2023 Housing Policy Forum, “Onward to Housing Justice,” the first Forum held in person since 2019. Hosted at the Hilton Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington, D.C., the forum featured conversations with and presentations by key leaders in Congress and the Biden administration, including HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), U.S. Department of the Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson. The Forum featured a keynote address by sociologist Matthew Desmond, as well as a book launch for Professor Desmond’s book,  Poverty, by America , and a conversation with Ms. Shirley Sherrod, co-founder of New Communities Land Trust. The Forum also offered numerous plenary panels, breakout sessions, and other opportunities for advocates to engage with and learn from thought-leaders, tenant and community leaders, policy experts, researchers, and affordable housing practitioners about the fight for housing justice.

During the Housing Policy Forum, NLIHC also held our 41 st Annual Housing Leadership Awards Reception. At the ceremony, NLIHC presented the Edward W. Brooke Housing Leadership Award to Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) for leading a movement to guarantee housing for all; the Sheila Crowley Housing Justice Award to Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico for its persistent efforts to ensure a just recovery – including access to safe and affordable housing – in the aftermath of numerous disasters; and the Cushing Niles Dolbeare Lifetime Service Award to John Parvensky for his longstanding leadership in the fight for housing and health care justice and equity as an advocate, a supportive housing developer, and a provider of health care for the homeless.

Advocacy by NLIHC and our partners resulted in a number of administrative victories in 2023:

• HUD issued a proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule meant to restore and improve upon the agency’s 2015 AFFH rule, which had been abruptly removed by the previous administration. The new proposed rule – meant to implement one of the provisions of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 – included six overarching features broadly supported by NLIHC.
• HUD published a final rule implementing the National Standards for Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) in the Federal Register . NLIHC submitted letters regarding the rule and released a brief on the NSPIRE regulations, Summary of Key Provisions of the Final National Standards for Physical Inspection (NSPIRE) Regulations .
• The Biden-Harris administration announced in July actions to “crack down on junk fees” in rental housing. The actions followed advocacy by NLIHC and an open call issued by HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge for rental housing providers to create a more fair and transparent rental market.
• HUD launched ALL INside, a first-of-its-kind initiative to tackle unsheltered homelessness across the country. Through the ALL INside initiative, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and its 19 federal member agencies partner with state and local governments to strengthen and accelerate local efforts to move individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness into homes in five cities and the State of California.
• HUD issued a final rule restoring a 2013 discriminatory effects rule following efforts by NLIHC and our partners. The final rule recodifies the 2013 rule’s discriminatory effects three-step burden shifting standard.
• The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released a request for information (RFI)– and NLIHC helped mobilize thousands of organizations and people to submit comments – in support of renter protections.
• After devastating summer wildfires in Hawaii, HUD provided Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funding to disaster survivors in Maui who were experiencing homelessness prior to the disaster. HUD’s action followed advocacy by NLIHC and the Coalition’s release of a report on the RUSH program offering recommendations for improvements.
• FEMA released its first-ever Post-Disaster Equity Guide for Local Officials Rebuilding Communities . The publication provided guidance for local officials working to understand and prepare for disaster recovery efforts, with an emphasis on promoting equity and accountability.

NLIHC and our Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) – a group of more than 900 local, state, and national organizations working to ensure that all disaster survivors receive the assistance they need to fully recover – also achieved a series of major wins in 2023:

• The “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), along with bipartisan sponsorship from 12 additional senators, following advocacy by NLIHC and the DHRC. The bipartisan bill contains critical reforms proposed by DHRC members to help ensure that the federal government’s long-term disaster recovery program, the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, better serves disaster survivors who have lowest incomes and their communities.
• NLIHC and the National Housing Law Project released a report exploring the implementation of HUD’s Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program, a new initiative designed to fill gaps in federal assistance by addressing homelessness in communities impacted by disasters. The report, Plugging the Gaps: Recommendations for HUD’s RUSH Program , finds that while RUSH offers vital support to disaster-impacted communities, initial implementation of the program in Florida was hampered by challenges that must be remedied before future deployments.
• The DHRC released a Resource Guide for 2023 Hurricane Season to provide resources, information, and links regarding hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery, as well as a sovereignty resource guide authored by members of its Hawaiʻi Fires Working Group.
• NLIHC and the DHRC submitted comments in response to a proposed rule issued by HUD in the Federal Register regarding the establishment of a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) detailing how HUD takes flood risk into account when evaluating proposed uses of agency funding.
• NLIHC submitted in July comments on behalf of the DHRC regarding a request by FEMA for information regarding the Community Disaster Resilience Zone program and the National Risk Index.
• The DHRC sent or signed on to six letters to congressional leaders and administration officials.

Read the 2023  Annual Report .

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[Study] How to save time and money in project reporting

Save 4 hours per week on reporting with Office Timeline. Explore how this tool transforms project management and makes reporting a breeze.

Office Timeline

Sep 6, 2024

10 min read

Do you often feel like there aren’t enough hours in the week? Like no matter how hard you try, you simply cannot split your time effectively between all of your responsibilities? 

First of all, you are not alone. This sentiment is shared among thousands of project management professionals and other knowledge workers across the globe. 

Secondly, there is help. With the right tools, you can get more than 4 (four!) hours of your week back by streamlining a fundamental part of PM: creating reports and visuals. 

In this article, we’re going to show you how to spend less time on project reports so you can go back to spending more time on actually managing your projects. 

Insights on improving project reporting

How important is your time? That’s an easy question to answer. World-renowned author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn described time as the most precious commodity available to us in one of his most famous quotes: “ You can get more money, but you cannot get more time .”

While most of us resonate with this logic, it’s often too easy to get bogged down by the downpour of boring tasks that we perceive as necessary or simply unavoidable. We accept time-consuming routines reinforced by office life without a second thought. Inevitably, we end up spending hours on things that could be completed in minutes, if only we’d be willing to look for the right tools. 

So we come to ask ourselves: why is so much time wasted in project management? For a better understanding of our context, we will take a look at some industry reports that showcase the daily challenges of PMs, and an estimate of the time spent on reporting.

50% of project managers spend at least one day creating project reports manually

Wellington's Annual State of Project Management Report 2021 reveals that project managers frequently struggle with time management due to the high volume of tasks they must juggle. The report highlights the significant amount of time spent on manual data entry and report creation, which are both time-consuming and repetitive.

It suggests that the use of better tools and integrations could streamline these processes, leading to substantial time savings. By automating these tasks, project managers can allocate more time to strategic planning and execution, thus enhancing project outcomes.

The report emphasizes that adopting advanced project management tools can reduce the administrative burden on project managers, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks that drive project success. 

These tools can automate routine reporting, integrate seamlessly with other project management software, and provide real-time data updates, all of which contribute to more efficient project management.

22% of PMs struggle with generating status reports 

Another study, the PMO Outlook Report 2023 , shows that a considerable number of project managers find visibility and reporting to be their biggest challenge, with 16% of respondents highlighting this issue. This is often because teams rely on spreadsheets or fragmented systems that aren't efficient for portfolio management. 

The main pain-points consist of having non-centralized project portfolio data and the lack of real-time updates, both cited by 28% of respondents. Additionally, 22% struggle with generating status reports and integrating data from external systems. Improving real-time data access and centralizing information were crucial focuses for PMOs in 2023.

In Wrike's Efficiency Report 2023 , findings indicate that project managers spend a significant portion of their time on administrative tasks, including project planning, reporting, and communication. Efficient use of project management reporting tools can significantly reduce this time burden.

We get it – reporting can be a real headache for project managers. Between handling tasks and piecing together data from different sources, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You’re not alone in facing these frustrations.

Key findings from the Office Timeline user survey report

To understand these challenges better, we’ve also done our homework. In our latest survey, we’ve uncovered some eye-opening insights on how you can save hours each week by simplifying your reporting process. Up next, we’ll share these findings and some practical tips to make your life a bit easier.

About the Office Timeline user survey 

As we always look to get a sense of the industry, in September 2022 we interviewed 375 professionals who agreed to fill in our questionnaire, about their habits and preferences related to project management and reporting. 

The study included people with job titles ranging from Senior Project Manager, Director of Project Management and VPs/Presidents to Team Leads, Analysts and Project Managers. With regards to their accreditations, our respondents boasted PMP, PMI, PgMP, Prince2, CSM and similar certifications. Most (92%) of the survey subjects were located in the United States, but there were also global participants.

Let’s have a look at our most important findings. 

Microsoft Project, Jira and Smartsheet are the most popular PM solutions

The survey revealed that Microsoft Project, Jira, and Smartsheet are the top project management tools among professionals, reflecting their robust features and widespread integration. 

However, while these platforms perform adequately in project planning and tracking, visual reporting is still a challenge. Ever find yourself juggling all the details in Microsoft Project or Jira, wishing there was an easier way to extract and present the key data? 

We know that these PM tools are good for keeping everything organized, but when it comes to creating clear, easy-to-follow timelines, it can be a bit tricky. That’s where Office Timeline comes in handy. It integrates smoothly with tools you’re already most likely using ( MS Project , Excel , Jira , Smartsheet and Wrike ), helping you turn all that project data into clear, beautiful visuals. 

So whether you're updating your team or presenting to stakeholders, you can do it in a way that’s both effortless and effective.

Most reporting tasks are done weekly and for internal stakeholders

When you’re the PM, those weekly check-ins with your internal teams and the senior management are crucial. It’s all about keeping everyone aligned and making sure the project is moving in the right direction. But let’s face it- summarizing a week’s worth of progress and challenges in a way that’s clear and engaging isn’t always easy. 

If you’re using Office Timeline, though, that process becomes a lot less painful. Instead of getting bogged down by trying to create visuals from scratch, you can quickly generate (and freshen up) timelines that highlight the key milestones, task updates, and any potential risks. 

This way, your team gets the information they need at a glance, and you can spend less time (we’ll crunch the numbers on that in a moment) formatting and more time strategizing for the week ahead.

Most PMs use PowerPoint for reports in timeline or Gantt chart form

It comes as no surprise that PowerPoint is leading in the polls as the number one tool for reports that rely on graphics like Gantt charts or timelines, and by a huge margin too: 81%. Intuitive, familiar to everyone since the dawn of the IT age and highly modular thanks to its capability to integrate add-ins, Microsoft’s presentation software is a favorite of project managers worldwide. 

But, while it may very well be the best thing since sliced bread, creating timelines and Gantt charts using exclusively the native PowerPoint functions is neither easy nor fast. To optimize the process, most PMs (75%) prefer to prepare reports directly in PowerPoint and integrate a third-party add-in like Office Timeline. Which brings us to our next point.

Office Timeline is the #1 reporting plug-in used by project managers    

So, if PMs like to enrich the functionality of PowerPoint with add-ins and plug-ins, which ones do they prefer for Gantt charts and timelines? An overwhelming 88% percentage of our interviewees stated that Office Timeline is their reporting plug-in of choice from a list of 11 popular tools.  

What’s more, 9 out of 10 users are really happy with the product and 7 out of 10 would recommend it to a colleague or friend. This is, we believe, consistent with the NPS (Net Promoter Score) of 64, the highest value among other popular tools and plug-ins available on the market right now.

PMs save 4 hours of work per week using Office Timeline 

Our survey participants revealed that, on average, approximately 3.7 hours of their work week are spent on creating reports. Furthermore, the percentage of PMs that already use Office Timeline estimated that, without it, the time they’d need an extra 4.1 hours every week on making or updating project timelines and Gantt charts. 

To put that in perspective, 4 hours a week on reporting adds up quickly- 200 hours (or 5 weeks) a year. Not ideal.  

What if you could reclaim some of that time? With Office Timeline, you can. Instead of spending hours fine-tuning reports, you can quickly create polished timelines that clearly communicate progress. 

This not only reduces the time spent on reporting but also leaves you with more hours in the week to focus on strategic planning, problem-solving, and leading your team.

What’s the ROI like on Office Timeline? 

Let’s dive into how Office Timeline can be a real game-changer for you as a project manager. If you’re like most PMs, you too probably spend about four hours each week on reporting alone. Now, think about this: with an average hourly rate of $38, that’s $156 every single week just for reports. Over the course of a year, that adds up to more than $8,100.

Here’s where Office Timeline comes in. A yearly license costs, on average, around $149. That means your return on investment (ROI) is a jaw-dropping 54 times the cost of the license. In other words, you’re looking at almost $7,950 in savings just by making this switch.

But let’s zoom out for a moment. Across 27,000 active customer accounts and over 131,000 licenses, Office Timeline is collectively saving project managers like you around 500,000 hours a year on reporting. That’s not just time saved- it’s nearly $1 billion in revenue kept in the pockets of project management professionals.

Office Timeline pays for itself in a week

But let’s look at it from another perspective. If you consider the average rate for PM jobs is around $38 per hour, then those 4 hours saved translate to saving $155 per week (or about $8,100 annually). Now, remember that an average Office Timeline license costs $149 per year. In other words, Office Timeline effectively pays for itself in the span of a week, and then continues to save you lots of money for the rest of the year. 

In short, Office Timeline isn’t just another tool in your arsenal- it’s a smart investment that can transform how you work and save you serious money.

But you may be wondering what are the features that put Office Timeline on the map. Let’s find out. 

Extra points for quality of charts, ease of customization, and times it takes to create reports 

Among the most appreciated features of Office Timeline, according to 88% of the PMs in our study, is the fact that it doesn’t have a steep learning curve. 85% of our users were very happy with the quality of the visuals produced, which are on par with or exceed their expectations. 

On the same note, 83% reported being impressed with the ability to export and edit graphics in other communication tools they employ daily. In short, users find Office Timeline to be an effortless way of creating striking graphics that you can personalize and share according to your needs.

Making the most of Office Timeline    

Based on the results of this survey, corroborated with other industry research outcomes, we can come to the following conclusions: 

• Reporting is essential, yet time-consuming: It’s one of the most crucial tasks in a project manager’s responsibilities, but it can also eat up a lot of your time.
• Most project managers choose Office Timeline as their favorite reporting plug-in : Users confirm their preference for a tool that helps them deliver better, faster reports.  
• Office Timeline is built for easy project reporting : This tool is widely recognized in the industry for its ability to save project managers and their organizations significant amounts of time and money.

Let’s talk about a few things that can help you maximize the benefits of integrating this popular PowerPoint add-in in your workflow: 

• Customize templates to fit your projects : Tweaking the built-in Gantt chart and timeline templates or create your own to match your project’s unique needs. Using templates instead of starting from scratch not only saves you time but also ensures that your reports look consistent and professional. Further to this point, remember that you can save and share templates with your team, standardizing processes and replicating success across projects. 
• Take advantage of integrations : The add-in is capable of integrating with the most powerful PM solutions like MS Project, Excel, Jira, Smartsheet and Wrike. This allows you to directly import data from these sources and create amazing visuals in minutes, rather than input all the tasks and milestones by hand.
• Use swimlanes and dependencies : Beside the classic timeline and Gantt charts formats, Office Timeline includes features like swimlanes (that allow you to break up your graphic by department/team/processes) and dependencies (that enable showing the direct correlation between tasks and progress milestones).

Check out the extensive support library : Office Timeline may be simple and intuitive, but we’re willing to bet there are still a few features under the hood that you don’t know about. Don’t worry, you can find out all you need to make the most of our reporting powerhouse by accessing the support section of our website . 

Conclusion 

Project management is all about time – how you spend it and where you can save it. Reporting is essential but can quickly become a burden, eating away hours that could be invested in more strategic tasks. Office Timeline offers a solution by helping project managers create professional, easy-to-understand visuals in a fraction of the time.

In fact, our recent survey found that project managers spend nearly 4 or more hours each week on reporting tasks. Using Office Timeline, they succeed in getting that time back and using it to focus on what really matters- leading their team, solving problems, and driving their projects to success.

The return on investment (ROI) for Office Timeline speaks for itself. With a 1-year license costing an average of $149, the time and money saved by using this tool can add up to over $8,100 annually. That’s 54 times the cost of the license - a smart investment by any measure.

To make the most of Office Timeline, customize templates to fit your project’s needs, take advantage of integrations with tools like MS Project and Jira, and explore advanced features like swimlanes and dependencies. With these tips, you can unlock even more time savings and efficiency.

By integrating Office Timeline into your workflow, you’re not just saving time- you’re enhancing the quality of your work and gaining a competitive edge in your project management career. 

Final thoughts

Download the trial version of Office Timeline and gain unlimited access to all the powerful features that can help you transform complex and boring sets of data into amazing and engaging visuals. What would you do if you could get five weeks of your time back per year?

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