What should be done with a report before submission?

• A. Sign, date, and distribute it according to agency policies.
• B. Triple-check for grammar only.
• C. Add extra pages.
• D. Submit without review.

Answer: (A)

Finalizing a report before submission means ensuring accountability and proper routing by signing, dating, and distributing it according to agency policies. Signing and dating identify who prepared the document and when, establishing responsibility and a reference point for any future follow-up or review. Distributing it per policy ensures the right people and units receive the report, protects confidentiality, and maintains the integrity and chain of custody of the record. This step also signals that the document has been reviewed and is ready for the formal process.

Focusing only on grammar doesn’t establish who is responsible or guarantee it reaches the correct recipients. Adding extra pages can violate formatting or content-control rules and create confusion. Submitting without any review bypasses required checks and could allow errors or policy issues to go unnoticed.