What is a Situation Report?
The Situation Report (SITREP) is a form of status reporting that provides decision-makers and readers a quick understanding of the current situation. It provides a clear, concise understanding of the situation—focusing on meaning or context, in addition to the facts. It does not assume the reader can infer what is important or not, and what actions or decisions are needed. It calls out what is needed. Below are descriptions and guidance to complete the form. It can also be provided verbally in a 30-second to 5-minute duration.
What should be included in a SITREP?
- The situation to date (what has happened)
- A brief summary of “startup details” – date, place, time, who
- Summary of overall situation to date
- Ensure old information is deleted
- Actions to date (what has been done)
- Brief reporting of actions completed to date
- Table format may be used for repeat actions and/or progressive totals or if similar are given e.g. destructions statistics, number of properties visited
- Actions to be completed (what will be done)
- Brief reporting of scheduled/planned actions – typically for the period covered by the SITREP
- As mentioned above, a table may be used for repeat actions
- Where the operation expects to be by the next SITREP
- Issue(s)
- Present brief description of issue(s) that are known/reasonably expected to arise before the next SITREP is issued e.g. a shortage of a given resource, a significant OH&S issue
- Acknowledgment of significant achievements, failures etc. can be given here.
Download your free SITREP Template below. To ensure concise and consistent communication, consider these SITREP best practices from Persimmon’s CEO, Bill Fournet.