---
title: "First monthly progress report: lab construction (memo)"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_5/communication_english:first-monthly-progress-report-lab-memo"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/first-monthly-progress-report-lab-memo
site: BCT Engineering
---

# First monthly progress report: lab construction (memo)

Communication English · Chapter 7: Informal Reports

- Asked in: 2069 Chaitra, 6 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/first-monthly-progress-report-lab-memo
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-7

## Question

Imagine that a project related to the construction of a lab of your engineering field is going on in a local government office. Write the first monthly progress report on the same project in a memo format.

## Short answer

First month: site cleared, soil test confirmed bearing capacity 150 kN/m², excavation completed, 60% footing reinforcement tied. Materials delivered, testing equipment ordered. Cold weather and skilled worker shortage delayed work; physical progress 10% against planned 12%.

## Answer

```text
                        MEMORANDUM

To      : Chief Administrative Officer, Bagmati Rural
Municipality Office
From    : Er. Ujjwal Dahal, Project Engineer
Date    : 2 February 2027
Subject : First monthly progress report on the
construction of the Civil Testing Laboratory (January
2027)
```

#### Introduction

The municipality is building a one-storey civil testing laboratory (for concrete, soil and material testing) of 1,800 sq. ft. on the office premises. The contract was signed on 1 January 2027 for a period of 8 months. This is the first monthly progress report.

#### Work completed

1. Site clearing and layout marking were done.
2. A soil test confirmed a safe bearing capacity of 150 kN/m².
3. Excavation for the footings was completed (100 percent).
4. Reinforcement was tied for 60 percent of the column footings.
5. 120 bags of cement, 6 tonnes of steel rods, and bricks and sand were delivered.
6. The testing equipment (compression testing machine, sieve set) was ordered; delivery is expected in 3 months.

#### Problems faced

- Cold weather and the late supply of sand slowed the pace of work.
- There was a shortage of skilled bar-benders for 4 days.

#### Work planned for the next period

1. Pour the footing concrete and build the columns up to plinth level.
2. Start the plinth beam work.
3. Place orders for the lab furniture and electrical works.

#### Conclusion

The physical progress is 10 percent against the plan of 12 percent. No serious problem is seen, and the project is expected to catch up next month.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is being built and for how long is the contract?
   A. A civil testing laboratory of 1,800 sq. ft. in 8 months
   B. A computer lab in 12 months
   C. A hospital in 8 months
   D. A civil testing laboratory in 18 months
   Answer: A. The introduction says a one-storey civil testing laboratory of 1,800 sq. ft. is being built under an 8-month contract signed on 1 January 2027. (Key point: Project background)

2. What did the soil test confirm?
   A. A water table at 150 m
   B. A safe bearing capacity of 150 kN/m²
   C. A soil strength of 150 percent
   D. That the site is unsafe
   Answer: B. The soil test confirmed a safe bearing capacity of 150 kN/m², allowing footing design. (Key point: Key technical result)

3. What is the progress status at the end of the first month?
   A. 12 percent against a plan of 10 percent
   B. Completed
   C. 10 percent against a plan of 12 percent
   D. No work done
   Answer: C. Actual 10 percent is slightly below the 12 percent planned, but the project is expected to catch up. (Key point: Progress against plan)

4. Which problems slowed the work?
   A. Landslide and funding shortage
   B. Court order and strikes
   C. Equipment failure
   D. Cold weather, late sand supply and shortage of bar-benders for 4 days
   Answer: D. The report lists cold weather, late supply of sand and a four-day shortage of skilled bar-benders. (Key point: Problems faced)

## Related in Communication English

- [First monthly progress report in memo format](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afirst-monthly-progress-report-suspension-bridge) — Communication English, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [First monthly progress report: internet connectivity (memo)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afirst-monthly-progress-report-internet-connectivity) — Communication English, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [First quarterly progress report: urban internet project (memo)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afirst-quarterly-progress-report-urban-internet-memo) — Communication English, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [Third monthly progress report: micro-hydro, Dhading (memo)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Athird-monthly-progress-report-dhading-memo) — Communication English, chapter 7
- [Second quarterly progress report in memo format](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aquarterly-progress-report-housing-memo) — Communication English, chapter 7
- [Quarterly progress report: hydro-electricity supply centre (memo)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aquarterly-progress-report-hydro-supply-memo) — Communication English, chapter 7