The Status Report has been around since written language first came about. Though it did not gain its prestigious title for some time, The Status Report has seen various forms over the centuries. Humans long ago drew pictures on cave walls reporting on hunting and living conditions at the time, saying things like "many deer, we hunt", giving modern people a glimpse into their daily lives. As humanity developed, so did the Status Report. Reports of new discoveries from faraway lands evolved into updates on the trading of raw materials, then transformed into accounts of military conflicts over disputed territories, and ultimately shaped the foundation of the modern working world as we recognize it today. The Status Report may have decreased in popularity over the years, yet it still holds great significance documenting the working world.

The Modern Status Report requires the inscription of basic details of the project. Advanced technology like Microsoft Word allows us to cram more information into a smaller space, unlike our stone carving ancestors. It's important to list information pertaining to all aspects of the project. Here are some basic components of the Modern Status Report:
  • Name of Project
  • Purpose of Project
  • Start and End Dates
  • Project Participants, their Role, and Contact Information
  • Work Recently Completed
  • Upcoming Work
  • Important Dates & Time Off
  • Gantt Chart (if you have one)
Our knuckle-dragging, toga-wearing ancestors would have loved to be able to include every detail possible, but it's important to remember the limited technological capabilities of their eras. Humans of the 21st Century find their brains flooded with information at every given moment; notifications from that app you haven't gotten around to deleting, a Facebook message from your high school friend who has the "deal of the lifetime", etc. The point is you want to keep your report short and simple.

You'll email the report out to ten people, but let's be honest, they aren't going to read it. If you're lucky, they'll read the first few then mark all future Status Report Emails as 'read' and move on with their day. Your therapist will tell you the same thing I will, and that's okay! Let's be real, these reports are really for you. They document clear communication around the project that you can refer to in the future, on Christmas morning, or to look back on with nostalgia in retirement.

In the information firehose that we find ourselves in today, it is vital to prioritize getting the important points across. You'll want to include them in your report but ALSO in your email with the report. Again, make these points short and simple to call out important bits of information for all parties to be aware of. Your audience will click your status report email, glance at the important pieces of information for a couple seconds, then move to their next email - mission accomplished.

Today we work with the Status Report the best manner possible, just like our cave-painting predecessors would have wanted. In 100 years, The Status Report may take on a new form, but will stay true to documentation of the world, or the project you're working on. It is up to you to continue with this rich tradition, one report at a time.

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