Internship Training · Career level

Career level · Module 4: Workplace Communication and Reporting · Lesson 1 of 3

Writing Progress Updates

Report what you did, what is next and what you need — in a few clear lines.

In this lesson you will

  • Write a progress update in a standard structure
  • Adapt the update for email, WhatsApp or a meeting

Key concepts

progress updatestatusblockernext steps

The lesson

Supervisors are busy. A good progress update is short and follows a predictable structure: what was completed, what is in progress, what is next, any blockers and any decisions needed.

Use numbers and facts: '8 of 12 computers serviced; 4 waiting for thermal paste' is clearer than 'progressing well'.

Match the channel: a short WhatsApp message for a quick daily note, an email for a weekly update and a few spoken points in a meeting.

Step by step

  1. Collect facts from your work log.
  2. Write the update in five parts.
  3. Cut it to the essentials.
  4. Send it through the agreed channel.
Step-by-step

Writing a five-part progress update

Build a weekly update a busy supervisor can read in 30 seconds.

  1. Completed

    Facts from your log: '8 of 12 office computers serviced and logged.'

  2. In progress

    '2 computers waiting for replacement fans.'

  3. Next

    'Finish the remaining 2 on Monday; start the printer check Tuesday.'

  4. Blockers

    'Thermal paste ran out — need 1 tube to finish.'

  5. Decision needed

    'Should the 2 very old machines be repaired or recorded for replacement?'

Result

A five-line update that tells the supervisor exactly where things stand and what they need to decide.

Practice activity

Write a weekly progress update for a practice task in your specialization and a one-line daily version of it.

Expected result: A clear, factual weekly update and a short daily note.

Check your understanding

  1. What are the five parts of a progress update?

    Show answer

    Completed, in progress, next steps, blockers, decisions needed.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.