Research - PM - Executive Summary/Final Report

The majority of projects will have a Final Report as the last Deliverable due. However, whether the final deliverable takes the form of a final report or some other product (e.g. a computer model, a pilot plant, etc), it is mandatory for the project team to document the outcome of the project in the form of an Executive Summary. The Executive Summary and Final Report (draft copy) must be tabled at a Reference Group meeting.

Executive Summary

Purpose

• Inform readers of the aims of the project, the results obtained, new knowledge/products generated and the availability of resulting reports (final and interim), manuals, computer programs, etc.

• Make recommendations to the WRC about action (knowledge dissemination, technology transfer) to be taken in the light of the results and products and identify high priority areas for further research .

Guidelines for Preparation

The executive summary should not exceed 10 pages. The following information should be included:

1. Brief statement setting out the background and motivation for conducting the research

2. Detailed statement of the objectives as specified in the contract

3. Brief summary of the major results and conclusions

4. Indication of

   • the extent to which the contract objectives were reached

   • the new knowledge contributed by the project

   • how project outcomes will benefit the user (in a national as well as local context)

   • what follow-on actions need to be taken

5. The extent to which capacity development took place

6. Recommendations for further research, knowledge dissemination and technology transfer

Final Report

Format
The format of a Final Report will depend on the nature of the project and the guidance given by the Reference Group and the WRC's responsible research manager.  Final reports that are recommended for publishing by the Reference Group may be printed and distributed in either hardcopy, electronic format or both, depending on the WRC's final decision. The printing and distribution is funded and undertaken by the WRC.
Once the final report has been completed to the satisfaction of the Reference Group, a copy must be submitted to the WRC in both hardcopy and electronic form.

Categories
WRC research reports are classified in one of the following categories depending on the nature and quality of the research:

1. Standard WRC Research reports
   These are classified according to the Research Project Number from which the report originates (e.g. 1234/04).

2. Technology Transfer (TT) reports
   TT publications are regarded as those containing material that is potentially very useful and immediately applicable to a specific group of end-users. Such publications are therefore accorded a different set of numbers to distinguish them from the standard Final Reports and are laid out in a manner designed to enhance end-user appeal.
   TT publications may, among others, result from any of the following:

   • a project or a set of projects yielding results that provide a useful guideline for successful application of an approach or a process designed to address a critical water-related issue (eg water treatment)

   • one or more projects with outputs that allow for compilation of a manual on an important water-related topic (eg water-borne disease)

   • a project giving rise to an appropriate technology that may have widespread applicability (eg wetting front detector for irrigation control)

3. Consultancy reports
   These result from Research conducted by Consultancy agreement. They are classified according to the related Research Project Number preceded by the letters KV (e.g. KV 101/98).

Guidelines for Manuscript Preparation . . . view Guidelines (pdf format)
The guidelines apply to the preparation of both hardcopy and electronic formats.

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Editing
The WRC does not do any formal editing of documents submitted for publication. The editing responsibility lies with the Project Leader, in collaboration with the responsible Research Manager.

In the case of TT reports, minimal quality checking will be done by the WRC. This will take the form of scanning the document for editorial and typographic errors prior to printing. Documents will be returned to the Project Leader for correction.

Printing Requirements
The Project Leader must provide the final print-ready document, together with all figures, illustrations and tables in place. Two electronic copies must also be supplied, one in the original word-processing format and the other in Adobe pdf-format.

Deadlines

Executive Summary
This should be submitted to the KSA Coordinator in electronic format (E-mail) 4 weeks before the scheduled Final Reference Group meeting. Copies will be distributed to Reference Group members 2 weeks before the meeting.

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Final Report
Project duration < 1 year

A draft copy submitted to the KSA Coordinator in electronic format (E-mail) at least 4 weeks before the scheduled final Reference Group meeting. Copies will be distributed to Reference Group members at least 2 weeks before the meeting

Project duration > 1 year

1. Penultimate Reference Group meeting
   A draft copy of the Contents of the proposed Final report must be submitted to the KSA Coordinator in electronic format (E-mail) at least 3 weeks before the scheduled meeting. Copies will be distributed to Reference Group members at least 2 weeks before the penultimate meeting. This provides the Reference Group with an opportunity to preview and advise on the content of the final report, the order in which chapters should be included, and which aspects should be published as appendices or as separate documents.

2. Final Reference Group meeting
   A draft copy of the Final report submitted to the KSA Coordinator in electronic format (E-mail) at least 4 weeks before the scheduled meeting. Copies will be distributed to Reference Group members at least 2 weeks before the final meeting.

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