Looking for a Linux wrapper script

Hello,
This may be difficult but what I'm looking for is a linux shell script that I can use as a wrapper to notify me when something completes. I realize I will have to adjust script to key off a certain word for script to notice completion. I also would like a section to key off of for failure so that I can be notified of completion or failure.
As for notification we currently use /etc/alias and I can just use my account already setup in there.
Does anyone have a wrapper already created I could have? Or could someone point me in the direction of how to create my own?
Im also wondering how the wrapper works? Do I call the program or command I want notification from within the wrapper?

Thanks!