Cracking the ICE Professional Review Report:

A Guide to Standing Out

If you’re preparing for your ICE Professional Review, you already know the stakes. The Professional Review Report (PRR) isn’t just a formality—it’s your golden ticket to demonstrating that you’re not only competent but ready to take on the responsibilities of a qualified member. As a seasoned Senior Civil Engineer, I’ve seen many candidates stumble—not because they lacked experience, but because they didn’t know how to tell their story.

Let’s change that.

What Is the Professional Review Report?

The PRR is your narrative. It’s where you prove that your experience has shaped you into a capable, decision-ready engineer. But here’s the twist: ICE doesn’t want a checklist of Attributes. They want a compelling story—your story.

“Don’t address the Attributes in sequence. Give your reviewers a narrative.”

– ICE Guidance

Structuring Your Report: From Engineer to Storyteller

Forget the rigid structure of academic reports. The PRR is about demonstrating potential, not just past achievements. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Start With the End in Mind

Ask yourself: Would I trust this person to make the right decision in a position of responsibility? That’s what your reviewers are thinking.

2. Choose Your Projects Wisely

Focus on recent, complex, and responsibility-heavy work. It doesn’t have to be glamorous—just meaningful.

3. Tell, Don’t List

Instead of listing tasks, describe:

The problems you faced
The decisions you made
The lessons you learned
The impact you had

4. Highlight Leadership

Even if you didn’t manage a team, show how you led initiatives, influenced outcomes, or made independent judgments.

Word Count & Format: Less Is More

IPR & CPR: Max 5000 words
CPRP: Max 3000 words

Use visuals strategically—annotated sketches, not vanity photos. Keep your layout clean, professional, and screen-friendly.

Word Budget Allocation Strategy

With strict word limits (5000 words for IPR/CPR, 3000 for CPRP), strategic allocation is essential:

- Introduction: 5% (clear roadmap of what follows)

- Core attributes: 75% (weighted toward design/technical abilities and commercial awareness)

- Professional commitment: 15% (ethics, sustainability, diversity)

- Conclusion: 5% (reinforcing key strengths)

Appendices: Your Silent Wingman

Use appendices to support your claims:

Numerical analyses
Drawings
Cost data
Evidence of decision-making

But remember: no more than 3 A3 or 12 A4 pages.

Pro Tips from the Trenches

Write early, edit often: Don’t leave it to the last minute.
Use your training records: They’re gold mines for examples.
Get feedback: From engineers and non-engineers alike.
Own your story: This is your journey—make it compelling.