Progress Report Guide
How to Write a Progress Report
A progress report helps teams communicate what has been completed, what is delayed, how actual progress compares with planned progress and what actions should happen next.
Need to create one quickly?
Use our Progress Report Generator to create structured project reports with planned progress, actual progress, issues and PDF export.
What is a progress report?
A progress report is a structured document used to communicate the current status of a project, work package or operational plan. It usually includes planned progress, actual progress, completed activities, delays, risks and next steps.
What should a progress report include?
Project name and client
Reporting period
Project manager
Executive summary
Planned progress
Actual progress
Completed activities
Issues and delays
Next steps
Why planned vs actual progress matters
Comparing planned progress with actual progress helps teams identify deviations early. If actual progress is lower than planned progress, the report should explain the cause, impact and corrective actions required to recover the schedule.
Example progress report workflow
1. Define the reporting period
Select the start and end date for the project period you want to report. This can be a week, two weeks, a month or a custom period.
2. Track activities and percentages
Add project activities, owners, planned progress and actual progress so stakeholders can quickly understand project status.
3. Explain issues and next steps
Document delays, risks and actions required to keep the project moving forward.
Create a progress report
Use the Progress Report Generator to create structured reports with planned progress, actual progress, issues and PDF export.