Rag report
A RAG report (RAG rating, RAG status or Delivery Confidence Assessment) presents a status assessment using the traffic light colour designations; Red, Amber or Green. This gives a very visual and immediate way of identifying problem areas and potential problem areas.
The precise definition of different colour designations will vary between organisations, and so it is important that it is clearly set out, understood and used consistently. Typically, specific tasks, or components will be designated a colour status, where:
- Red indicates that primary objectives are at serious risk and remedial action is necessary.
- Amber indicates that it is possible the item will progress as planned but there is a problem and the objectives may be at risk. Action is being taken, or the problem is being monitored.
- Green indicates that the item is progressing as planned and that no action is necessary.
RAG reports can be used for a number of different purposes, including:
- Assessing the overall status of a project or portfolio of projects.
- Risk assessment.
- Assessing suppliers progress.
- Assessing resource capacity.
- Tracking third party dependencies.
- Post occupancy evaluations.
- Guiding designers about areas of the project requiring further development or change.
Individual Items may be assessed against a range of key performance indicators such as; programme, budget, compliance with the brief, sustainability, health and safety, energy performance and so on.
RAG reports are not an end in their own right, and are only effective if they are used as a way of instigating targeted action. Some organisations may adopt a reporting strategy that sets out who needs to be informed if an item is given an amber or red designation, and when items may need to be escalated.
RAG designations may need to be accompanied by additional information explaining the position, as ratings in isolation can be misleading or uninformative particularly in the early stages of projects, where red or amber designations may be given simply due to the level of development of the project and the inevitable uncertainty surrounding it. A red designation may not result in a failure as long as strategies are in place to move towards an amber and then green designation as the project progresses. Reports may include previous designations to give a sense of the direction of travel.
Some reports adopt an extended five-point traffic light system, including a green/amber and amber/red designation to give a finer degree of assessment, where:
- Amber/red indicates that there is serious doubt about whether the item will progress as planned and action is necessary.
- Green/amber indicates that the item is likely to progress as planned, but attention is necessary to ensure that risks do not develop into issues that might threaten the project objectives.
Blue is sometimes used to indicate that an item has been completed, or that responsibility has transferred to another organisation.
NB the OGC Gateway 3 Investment decision adopted by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) is:
RAG | Criteria Description |
Green | Successful delivery of the project to time, cost and quality appears highly likely and there are no major outstanding issues that at this stage appear to threaten delivery. |
Amber/Green | Successful delivery appears probable. However, constant attention will be needed to ensure risks do not materialise into major issues threatening delivery. |
Amber | Successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun. |
Amber/Red | Successful delivery of the project is in doubt with major risks or issues apparent in a number of key areas. Urgent action is needed to ensure these are addressed, and establish whether resolution is feasible. |
Red | Successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable. There are major issues which, at this stage, do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The project may need re-base lining and/or overall viability re-assessed. |
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.