Interim (or progress) reports present the interim, preliminary, or initial evaluation findings.
Interim reports are scheduled according to the specific needs of your evaluation users, often halfway through the execution of a project. The interim report is necessary to let a project’s stakeholders know how an intervention is going. It provides information that will help the funders and other decision-makers determine whether to continue with the current direction, where to make adjustments if necessary, revise goals, add more resources or in the worst-case scenario, to shut it down.
An interim report is similar to a final report, in that it includes a summary, a brief description of the progress, the evaluation thus far, and an overview of the financial situation. Any delays or deviations to the plan are included and explained, as well as any comparison between actual compared to expected results.
Advice for using this method
To avoid critical issues being interpreted incorrectly, begin interim reports by stating the following:
- Which data collection activities are being reported on and which are not;
- When the final evaluation results will be available;
- Any cautions for readers in interpreting the findings.
Advice taken from Torres et al., 2005
Resources
Examples
This detailed example of a progress report describes Oxfam's work in Haiti following a large earthquake. It is intended to account to donors, partner organizations, allies, staff, and volunteers.
Guides
Visual language for designers: Guide
"Within every picture is a hidden language that conveys a message, whether it is intended or not. This language is based on the ways people perceive and process visual information.
Evaluation strategies for communicating and reporting: guide
This book from Torres, Preskill and Piontek has been designed to support evaluators to incorporate creative techniques in the design, conduct, communication and reporting of evaluation findings.
Designing and conducting health systems research projects Volume 2: Data analyses and report writing
This guide is an IDRC publication with a module dedicated to writing a research report including information on layout and design.
Quick tips for planning evaluation reports
This guide from the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, providesa range of tips and advice for planning and writing evaluation reports that are concise and free of jargon.
Sources
Davies, L. (2012). Haiti Progress Report January-December 2011. Oxford, UK: Oxfam GB. Retrieved from https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/haiti-progress-report-january-december-2011-200732/
Oxfam GB Evaluation Guidelines (accessed 2012-05-08): https://www.alnap.org/help-library/oxfam-gb-evaluation-guidelines
Stetson, Valerie. (2008). Communicating and reporting on an evaluation: Guidelines and Tools. Catholic Relief Services and American Red Cross, Baltimore and Washington, USA. Retrieved from: https://www.alnap.org/help-library/communicating-and-reporting-on-an-evaluation-guidelines-and-tools
Torres, Rosalie T., Hallie Preskill and Mary E. Piontek. (2005). Evaluation Strategies for Communicating and Reporting: Enhancing Learning in Organizations (Second Edition). University of Mexico.
USAID. (2010). Performance monitoring & evaluation tips: Constructing an evaluation report. Retrieved from:https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnadw117.pdf
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'Interim reports' is referenced in:
Framework/Guide
Rainbow Framework :
