Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
the test team in a specific period of time Project reporting helps to find out about
these defects.
..1
Importance of Reporting
You are a hardworking guy and you do your work honestly. You have done
brilliantly on your project and achieved all milestones in record time. But you
also happen to be a poor communicator. So when it came time to report your
success story, you did your job poorly. All your status reports were also not
reported properly. So even though you and your team worked hard and did the
job splendidly, your customer is not happy, as he feels that the job was not done
properly.
Why is this so? It is because reporting is as crucial as performing on your tasks. It
is extremely important that your report have appropriate information, and it should
be presented in a very clear and concise manner.
8.1.1
What Should Go in a Report
Any customer wants to see value in any project. Value comes from a better return
on any customer's expenses compared to returns from similar projects. The main
elements of any reports are meaningful measurements, comparison information,
and good presentation. These are the three pillars of any report.
8.1.2
Case Study
Let us look at a case study from a different field to understand the importance and
power of reporting.
I had moved recently to a new rented apartment. The electricity bill used to
come every 2 months. From the apartment owner and some neighbors, I learned
that the electricity bill came to about $80 for every 2 months if you do not
operate air conditioners in your apartment. The first bill was around $79. So I
thought I was fine. Actually I am very concerned about expenses, and I want to
be doubly reassured that all my expenses are within reasonable limits. I became
concerned when my next electricity bill was a whopping $400. I phoned the call
center of the electricity distribution company and explained my situation. I also
told them that in the last six 2-monthly reports (it was also printed on the bill),
