Technical Writing: The Client Project Report.

Client normally expect professional consulting soil scientists to deliver more than technical field data, more than soil condition boundaries and observation points on a map. Every professional soil science client report should include conclusions reached by the professional, and the professional's recommendation for client action based on those conclusions. This expectation of a professional assessment applies to agronomic nutrient prescription, wetland delineation, site assessments for on-site disposal, environmental property audit, and storm water pollution prevention plans. Because of this common requirement, soil science consultants tend to develop a specific report format which they proceed to apply across a wide variety of client projects. Features include a scalable report structure, sufficient detail to support independent evaluation, identity of the professional responsible for conclusions, context for the study, limits to the conclusions, and instructions addressing separability of expert report components, such as maps and attachments.

A full report would start with a title page or title block, a table of contents, and executive summary. The title page or title block should state project name and give site location using parcel or section numbers.

The report introduction describes the site and setting, project description, client's interest in the site and the project, and the purpose for which the consultant was engaged.

A methods section describes the how test data was collected and observations were made. Dates and times of site visits, personnel and client representatives present, and weather conditions are noted in this section.

Technical observations, data, and study results are presented immediately after the methods section. This leads to a discussion section for professional interpretations, comments and conclusions derived from technical results.

The report wraps up with professional recommendations. This is followed by a limitations section, a signatory block, list of critical attachments, and list of non-critical supporting enclosures.