In his estimation, judging from the way Su Song refers to himself in Xin Yi Xiang Fa Yao as "your loyal minister Song," this book was a "report" written by Su for the emperor after completing the project.
據他猜測，由《新儀象法要》上蘇頌自稱「臣頌」來看，這部書是蘇頌完成工程之後，寫給皇帝看的「報告」。