Endbericht

Endbericht is a German term meaning final report. It denotes a document produced at the completion of a project, study, evaluation, or investigation. The purpose is to summarize what was done and achieved, assess whether objectives were met, document data and methods, and provide accountability to sponsors, clients, or authorities. Endberichte are often required for funding compliance, contract closure, or quality assurance and are designed to facilitate decision-making and future guidance.

Typical content includes: executive summary; introduction and objectives; scope and methodology; results or findings; discussion and conclusions; recommendations and implications; financial accounting and resource use; deliverables and milestones; risks, issues and mitigations; lessons learned; and supporting materials in appendices. The exact composition depends on the contract, field, and sponsor requirements, and some organizations standardize the structure with templates or guidelines.

Endberichte are common in project management, academic research, engineering and construction, public administration, and evaluation of programs or audits. They serve not only to close a project but also to capture knowledge for accountability, archival purposes, and future projects. In some contexts the terms Abschlussbericht or Schlussbericht are used as synonyms or near-synonyms, with subtle distinctions in scope or audience depending on local practice.

Quality in an Endbericht relies on clear data, traceable sources, and honest assessment of limitations, deviations, and risks. It is often subject to review and approval by sponsors or supervisory bodies before formal acceptance and payment release.