Tips on how to improve reports on funded projects, loosely based on seven deadly sins. Adapted from a workshop session at the final JISC Curriculum Design Programme meeting.

1. The Seven Deadly Sins
of report writing
And how to avoid the wrath of a
demon

2. Sloth – not making use of one's
talents and gifts
• Assume readers know
nothing about your
project.
• Explain acronyms.
• Make it easy for
readers to see how the
evaluation relates to
the aims or outcomes
of the project.

3. Envy – sorrow for another's good
• Include sufficient detail
and context for others to
decide whether or not an
innovation might work
for them.
• As above, describe why
different methods were
chosen and how they
were made use of.
• Include links to further
detail.

4. Gluttony – inability to resist the
temptation to over-indulge
• Use timelines, flow
charts, process maps, or
other graphical
representations to
present overviews of
complex methodologies
or findings.
• Readers don’t need to
know everything the
project ever did!

5. Pride – not acknowledging others’
good work & excessive love of self
• When describing an
outcome or benefit
include relevant evidence.
• Include sufficient detail
so that readers can gauge
for themselves the
strength of evidence used.
• Include references.

6. Acedia – not taking care of
something that one should
• Investigate actual or
potential efficiency
enhancements or cost
savings.
• Pull in evidence from
a wide range of
sources.

7. Vainglory – unjustified boasting
• Talk about what your
project has done or
produced, but also
describe AND evidence
the benefits of this to
stakeholders.

8. Greed – inordinate desire to
acquire more than one needs
• Make recommendations
that are realistic and
evidence based.
• Demonstrate that the
programme funding was
well spent.

9. • Consider the
programme team’s
feedback, &
• Remember the project
teams that weren’t
funded,
• Or face the wrath of
Asmodeus.

10. Adapted from a workshop session at the final
JISC Curriculum Design Programme Meeting
Dr Rachel A Harris
twitter: raharris
email: rachel@inspire-research.co.uk
web: www.inspire-research.co.uk