> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.charle.agency/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Recording Reports

> Step-by-step guide to completing weekly RAG reports

Recording RAG reports is a weekly task for CSMs and PMs. This guide walks through the complete process from start to finish.

## Before you start

### When to record

**Timing:**

* Reports are weekly, Monday-Sunday
* Record on Monday for previous week
* Or Friday to reflect current week
* Be consistent with timing

**Frequency:**

* One report per week
* Cannot skip weeks
* Historical record maintained

<Tip>
  Set a recurring calendar reminder for the same day/time each week to maintain consistency.
</Tip>

### Who records

Reports typically recorded by:

* CSMs for their assigned clients
* PMs for clients they manage
* Managers can record if needed

**Collaborative approach:**

* Discuss status with team before recording
* Align with PM/CSM on concerns
* Get input from delivery team

## Starting a report

### Check report status

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to RAG">
    Click RAG in main navigation
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check current week">
    See status: "No report", "Draft", or "Completed"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Record Report">
    Button available if no completed report exists
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Report states:**

* **None** - Can start new report
* **Draft** - Can continue existing draft
* **Completed** - Cannot modify, wait for next week

### Understanding the form

Recording page shows:

* Week commencing date
* All active clients listed
* Previous week's status (if available)
* Progress counter (0/X complete)

**Layout:**

* Two-column grid
* One card per client
* CSM name shown
* Complete all before submitting

## Recording each client

### Client card structure

Each card contains:

* **Client name** - Top of card
* **CSM name** - Below client name
* **Previous status** - Last week's RAG
* **Status selection** - Choose new status
* **Note field** - Current situation
* **Next step field** - Planned action
* **Complete checkbox** - Mark when done

### Selecting status

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review previous">
    See last week's status badge
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose new status">
    Click Green, Amber, or Red radio button
  </Step>

  <Step title="Respect transitions">
    Can only move one step at a time
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Status descriptions shown:**

* **Green** - "Project running smoothly, no concerns"
* **Amber** - "Some concerns that need monitoring"
* **Red** - "Critical issues requiring immediate attention"

<Warning>
  Status transitions are enforced. You cannot jump from Green to Red - must go through Amber.
</Warning>

### Writing notes

**Purpose:**

* Explain why you chose this status
* Provide context for management
* Document specific issues or wins
* Reference key events

**Good note structure:**

```
1. Current situation (1-2 sentences)
2. Why this status (specific reason)
3. Any relevant context or details
```

**Examples:**

**Green note:**

> Retainer running smoothly. Delivered all planned features on time. Client happy with quality and communication.

**Amber note:**

> Client requesting features beyond original scope. Having conversation about boundaries this week. Relationship good but need clear expectations.

**Red note:**

> Major delivery delay - 2 weeks behind schedule due to dependency issues. Client escalating concerns to their management. Need immediate recovery plan.

<Tip>
  Write notes as if explaining to someone unfamiliar with the client. Provide enough context to understand the situation.
</Tip>

### Defining next steps

**Purpose:**

* Specify what action is needed
* Assign clear ownership
* Set realistic timeline
* Create accountability

**Next step formula:**

```
[Action] + [Owner] + [Timeframe]
```

**Examples:**

**Green next step:**

> Continue regular bi-weekly check-ins. Plan next sprint features (CSM, this week).

**Amber next step:**

> Schedule alignment meeting with client and PM to clarify scope boundaries (CSM to book by Friday).

**Red next step:**

> Create recovery plan with revised timeline and present to client (PM and CSM, by Tuesday). Escalate to management for resource support.

**Bad examples:**

* "Follow up" (too vague)
* "Monitor" (not actionable)
* "Fix issues" (not specific)

### Marking complete

After filling all fields:

* Check "Mark as complete" box
* Card visually confirms completion
* Progress counter updates
* Move to next client

**Progress tracking:**

* Shows "X/Y complete" at top and bottom
* Progress bar visualizes completion
* Cannot submit until all marked complete

## Completing the report

### Final checks

Before submitting:

**Verify:**

* ✓ All clients have status selected
* ✓ All have notes explaining status
* ✓ All have actionable next steps
* ✓ All marked as complete
* ✓ No placeholders or "TBD" entries

**Review:**

* Read through notes for clarity
* Check next steps are realistic
* Ensure serious issues flagged properly
* Verify no typos in client names/details

### Submitting

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check progress">
    Ensure all clients marked complete
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Complete Report">
    Button at bottom of page
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirmation">
    Success message appears
  </Step>

  <Step title="Report locked">
    Status changes to completed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Notifications sent">
    Management receives summary email
  </Step>
</Steps>

**After submission:**

* Cannot modify completed report
* Appears in RAG dashboard
* Updates each client's current status
* Adds to historical record

<Note>
  Once submitted, reports cannot be edited. Double-check everything before clicking Complete Report.
</Note>

## Status transition rules

### From Green

**Can move to:**

* Green (unchanged)
* Amber (concerns arising)

**Cannot move to:**

* Red (must go through Amber first)

**When to stay Green:**

* Project still running smoothly
* No new concerns
* Client satisfied

**When to move to Amber:**

* Minor delays appearing
* Budget tracking carefully
* Communication issues starting
* Client expressing concerns

### From Amber

**Can move to:**

* Green (improvement)
* Amber (unchanged)
* Red (worsening)

**When to move to Green:**

* Issues resolved
* Client confidence restored
* Back on track

**When to stay Amber:**

* Issues persist but manageable
* Working on resolution
* Not worsening

**When to move to Red:**

* Issues escalating
* Client very unhappy
* Major problems occurring

### From Red

**Can move to:**

* Red (unchanged)
* Amber (improving)

**Cannot move to:**

* Green (must go through Amber first)

**When to stay Red:**

* Issues still critical
* Recovery plan in progress
* Not yet stable

**When to move to Amber:**

* Crisis contained
* Recovery visible
* Client calming
* Action plan working

## Common recording challenges

### Challenge 1: Unsure of status

**Problem:**
Client somewhere between Green and Amber

**Solution:**

* Err on side of caution (choose Amber)
* Explain uncertainty in notes
* Define next step to clarify situation
* Better to flag early than miss concerns

### Challenge 2: Multiple concerns

**Problem:**
Client has several different issues

**Solution:**

* Choose status based on most serious issue
* List all concerns in notes
* Prioritize in next steps
* Focus on most critical first

### Challenge 3: Conflicting information

**Problem:**
PM says Green, but you sense Amber

**Solution:**

* Discuss with PM before recording
* Align on status together
* Document differing perspectives in notes
* Use Amber if any significant doubt

### Challenge 4: Too many clients

**Problem:**
Recording takes too long for all clients

**Solution:**

* Block calendar time specifically for RAG
* Keep notes concise but complete
* Use consistent phrasing across similar situations
* Consider recording in batches (e.g., 10 clients per day over Monday-Wednesday)

<Tip>
  If RAG recording feels overwhelming, you may have too many clients assigned. Discuss workload with your manager.
</Tip>

## Best practices summary

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Weekly consistency" icon="calendar">
    Record same day/time each week
  </Card>

  <Card title="Team input" icon="users">
    Discuss with PM/team before recording
  </Card>

  <Card title="Honest assessment" icon="hand">
    Don't hide problems or overstate concerns
  </Card>

  <Card title="Specific details" icon="file-text">
    Provide context in notes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Actionable steps" icon="arrow-right">
    Define clear next actions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Review history" icon="clock">
    Check last week's notes before recording
  </Card>

  <Card title="Flag early" icon="bell">
    Use Amber when concerns first appear
  </Card>

  <Card title="Follow through" icon="check-circle">
    Complete next steps before next report
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't start report">
    Check if current week already has completed report. Only one report per week allowed. May need to wait for next week.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can't select certain status">
    Status transitions limited to one step. Check previous week's status. May need to go through intermediate status first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Submit button disabled">
    Ensure all clients marked as complete. Check progress counter. Incomplete entries prevent submission.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Client missing from list">
    Only active clients appear. Check client status. Archived clients don't need RAG reporting.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Made mistake after submitting">
    Completed reports cannot be edited. Contact manager if significant error needs correcting. Learn for next week.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="RAG Overview" icon="traffic-light" href="/user-guide/rag">
    Back to RAG reporting overview
  </Card>

  <Card title="Client History" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/user-guide/rag/client-history">
    View client RAG history
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clients" icon="users" href="/user-guide/clients">
    Client management overview
  </Card>

  <Card title="Help Desk" icon="headset" href="/user-guide/help-desk">
    Track client support issues
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
