Free weekly project status report template
A one-page weekly report for sponsors and stakeholders. It leads with an overall status, then covers what was done, what is next, milestone dates, risks and the decisions you need from others.
The .xlsx file opens in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc and Google Sheets (File, then Import). No macros.
What is in the template
- Project, week ending, author and an overall status drop-down that colors Green, Amber or Red.
- A one-line rule for what each status means, so it is used consistently.
- Sections for summary, completed this week, planned for next week, milestones, risks and issues, and decisions needed.
- A layout that fits one printed page.
How to use it
- Copy the sheet each week and keep the old ones as a record.
- Write the summary last, in two or three sentences a sponsor can read in thirty seconds.
- Report milestones with both the planned and the forecast date, so slips are visible.
- Put decisions you need at the bottom with a name and a date. That is the part readers act on.
Writing a status report people read
Keep it short and stable. When every report has the same sections in the same order, readers learn where to look, and a change in status stands out.
Do not hide bad news in the middle. If the status is Amber or Red, say why in the first line of the summary and say what you need.
Common questions
Why is there no CSV version?
The report is a one-page form with several sections, not a single table, so a CSV file would not keep its layout. The .xlsx file opens in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice.
When should a project be Amber rather than Red?
Amber means at risk with a recovery plan the team can carry out. Red means the project needs a decision or help from outside the team to recover.
Who should receive the report?
The sponsor and anyone named in the Decisions needed section. Others can read it in a shared folder rather than in their inbox.