What did I finish?
You might note something you read, tried, understood or found difficult. Progress does not have to mean a finished task.
Project support · prompts for conversation
The weekly supervision checkpoint.
Optional prompts for talking through progress, questions and difficulties with your supervisor, and agreeing manageable next steps together.
You might bring: a question, a short piece of work or something you feel unsure about.
Together: talk through the advice and agree a manageable next step.
Make it your own: use whichever prompts help. An unfinished task or difficulty is welcome in the conversation too.
Before the meeting
Share how things are going.
What can I show?
Bring a table, plot, output, code block, search record, decision note, paper-appraisal reading note or short drafted section.
What did I decide?
State the choice, evidence used, assumptions and any consequence for the project plan.
Where do I need guidance?
Bring any questions or concerns. It is fine to say that you are unsure where to begin.
During the meeting
Talk it through together.
- Reconnect to the question. Confirm that the current task still advances the agreed research question and project plan.
- Review one piece of evidence. Explain what it shows, what remains uncertain and where interpretation may be weak.
- Resolve the priority questions. Record advice, alternatives considered and the decision made.
- Identify risks or blockers. Name data, ethics, access, methods, writing or timetable issues early.
- Agree manageable next steps. Discuss what feels realistic and what support would help.
After the meeting
Turn advice into manageable next steps.
| Target | Evidence of completion | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| One specific analytical or writing action | The file, output, note or draft that will exist | Named person | Agreed date |
| One decision or question to resolve | A documented answer and its implication | Named person | Agreed date |
One or two manageable actions may be enough. Agree the scope and timing with your supervisor, keep a brief note of useful advice, and revisit the plan if circumstances change.
Copy and reuse
Use the checkpoint when it helps.
Download the weekly Word template
The preparation prompts and meeting record are optional aids to your conversation. Use the parts that help you capture questions, advice and agreed next steps; you do not need to fill every box.
Download the Word template (.docx)Weekly supervision checkpoint
Project question:
Current project stage:
Before the meeting
- Completed since the last meeting:
- Evidence I am bringing:
- Decisions made and why:
- Problems, uncertainty or risks:
- Questions I would like to discuss:
- Guidance or approval needed:
Agreed during the meeting
- Advice given:
- How I will use that advice:
- Decision and rationale:
- Target 1 / evidence / owner / due:
- Target 2 / evidence / owner / due:
- Target 3 / evidence / owner / due:
- Supervisor action / due:
“I worked on the analysis this week.” Is that a useful update?
Yes, it can start a conversation. If you can, add what you tried, learned or found difficult. For example: “I looked at missing outcome values, but I am unsure how to handle them.” Your supervisor can help you work out the next step.
Go deeper · connect the checkpoint to the wider project
Open the complete project guidanceConnect supervision decisions to the question, evidence, analysis and written argument.
Keep the analysis brief currentRecord important changes to the question, population, variables and planned analysis.
Keep the search reproducibleRecord each source, exact query, limit, result count and next decision while it is fresh.
Bring one appraised paperShow what it found, what threatens the result and what it can safely support in the project.
Keep reading traceableSave, verify and note each useful source before it enters the project argument.