1. Choose the operating question.
Name the person using the report, the question they need answered and the action they take. Review a safe sample of the current output.
Process
Agree what the total means before drawing the chart.
The first review follows a report from its source records to the decision someone makes with it.
2. Define sources and measures.
Agree identifiers, date rules, included statuses, exclusions and the expected refresh schedule. Find conflicting definitions before combining totals.
3. Build one checked report.
Connect the required data and reproduce known examples. Add filters, record detail and exports only where they support the task.
4. Test access and stale data.
Check intended roles, restricted records and exports. Simulate a failed refresh and confirm the report shows its actual freshness rather than an unexplained empty result.
5. Hand over definitions and ownership.
Document measures, sources, refresh failures and who can approve a change. Agree support separately from the initial release.