It’s not likely you will have any say in the reports your project will produce. If you do, keep them simple. If you make the system too difficult to maintain, you won’t get the data you need. You will fight for compliance, which is a distraction and waste of energy.

Keep the coding structure simple. Use existing codes whenever possible. Here novelty is the enemy of compliance.

Do not make your report more detailed than can be supported by the time card system. Control only to the WBS level where you can collect hours.

Insist on an earned value measurement system. Chances are one exists already. If it doesn’t, develop your own. There is no substitute for an earned value measurement system. If your contractor does not use an EVMS, you are in trouble. It should be the basis for all progress payments.