Monthly Reporting Checklist

A report exists to drive a decision, not to prove that work happened.

Headline & decisions

• One-line status and the trend since last period
• The decisions required this period, stated up front

Time

• Progress against baseline (planned vs actual)
• Current critical path and how it has changed
• Forecast completion, with its basis

Cost & change

• Cost position and forecast (with EVM indices where used)
• Change status — approved, pending and potential

Risk, claims & actions

• Top risks with owners and movement since last period
• EOT and claims status, without contractual overstatement
• Actions with owners and dates; last period’s actions closed out

Discipline

• Figures reconcile with the schedule and cost systems
• Bad news is early and plainly stated, not buried