BusinessEnglish Part10

Making a progress report

All managers need written progress reports from their staff, but it is often necessary to make a verbal progress report during a meeting. A verbal report can be thought of as a combination of a presentation and a question and answer session.

Nicky: Okay Angela. You're reporting on the progress at our new office, right?

Angela: That's right. I dropped by the new headquarters the day before yesterday to have a look at how the renovation is coming along.

Terry: Good news… or bad news?

Angela: Well,The long and short of it is(that) we'll have to push back our planned moving date.

Terry:What are we talking about here?A week, a month…two months?

Angela:Bear with me a moment. The two main issues were delays in shipping the marble for the reception area and poor oversight of the subcontractors.

Terry: Well, we've got no control over the marble shipment, but what about the coordination problem?

Angela: I brought this up with the contractor and the construction manager will be replaced with someone more experienced.

Bill:Does anyone mind if I make an observation here? I don't see why we're getting bent out of shape over this. This sort of project always gets delayed and goes over budget.

Angela: Well, that's not always the case but, yes, it is rather common.

Terry: And of course, a contingency was allocated within the original budget, right?

Angela:Absolutely.There was a 10% contingency. And yesterday we hammered out a deal to get back on track.All subcontractors are willing to work overtime,but the project will go slightly over budget and we're not going to be able to make up all the delay.

Nicky: Could you be a bit more precise?

Angela: Well,the bottom line is that we'll be able to move in one month later than expected if we go 5% over the original budget.

Nicky: Good work, Angela. I think we can handle that. Now, how about if we...

Vocaburary Note

To have a look ・・・ look at something closely
To be coming alone・・・making a progress
To push back・・・delay or postpone
To set off something・・・To cause a reaction
oversight・・・monitoring and controlling a work situation
To bring up ・・・ To mention an issue
To get bent out of shape ・・・ To panic or get upset
contingency ・・・a percentage allowance for going over budget
to hanmmer out a deal ・・・ to negotiate an agreement