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Business Dictionary
defines a progress report as “An assessment that takes place during a
project or process, that conveys details such as what sub-goals have
been accomplished, what resources have been expended, what problems have
been encountered, and whether the project or process is expected to be
completed on time and within budget”.

When writing a progress report, certain elements are very important. Let’s take a look at them:

The Heading:
Like other forms of writing, a progress report offers a title, date,
names of both writer and recipient, and their positions. This should be
well-written in the right positions.

The Introduction: Basically, this first part of the report should contain the purpose of writing, the timeline, the scope, the sponsor(s), etc.

The List of Completed Projects:
It is important you list those projects you and your team havedone in
the past showing the date, project name and duration in a tabular form
for easy analysis.

Problems Encountered:Even
with the best planned projects, challenges are commonplace; hence,
these must find a good mention in the report. The writer of the progress
report must state what was done to overcome those challenges, and
recommend possible actions, if any, or offer advice on sources of
assistance in future endeavours.

State Any Future Tasks:
Since this deals with a project, it is not sufficient tostop at what
has been done without mentioning what plansare there to be executed in
the continuation of such project in the future. This, of course, must
entail the date, duration, stages,personnel, sponsor(s), project
supervisor(s),location, etc.

Summarize the Report:
Briefly state achievements recorded, challenges faced, recommendations
offered andother outlined tasks in the project continuation. This
section should contain information about every stage or sub-section in
the report but in short and clear notes.

Note:

Project
report writing is an official document prepared in succession and which
offers a guide to management decision making, therefore, each stage is
represented by a report topic identifying the particular work done,
present stage reached, etc. Project report may take the form of memo,
verbal account, business letter, email, etc.