The phrase refers to a type of communication, often an electronic mail message, used within organizations, particularly government agencies like the Office of Personnel Management. The communication solicits updates from employees regarding completed tasks and activities from the previous work week. Its purpose is to inform supervisors and colleagues about individual progress and contributions.
This practice offers several advantages. It fosters transparency and accountability within teams, allowing managers to track project progress and identify potential roadblocks. Regularly documenting accomplishments also aids in performance evaluation and reporting, ensuring a clear record of employee contributions. Historically, similar reporting methods have been used in project management to maintain organization and track deliverables; the email format simply modernizes and streamlines the process.