Report Writing: Quick Tips

The writing of reports is a common task in the Business World, and one that nearly every business person faces sooner or later. As such, it is important for all business people to know how to organize and write a formal report.

Simply put, a report is the end-product of a formal process used for presenting data and making recommendations. Business Reports can and do appear in many forms -- long, short, simple, or "glitzy". But regardless of how they are packaged, reports typically include the following elements:

* Problem Definition
* Research Methods
* Findings
* Conclusions
* Recommendations

In the previous Posting on this topic, we discussed each of these report elements and offered some real-world tips on how to deal with these elements. Of course, terminology may vary, but readers should be able to clearly identify these elements in any properly prepared Business Report.

Can you identify these elements in past reports you have written?

If not, here are some questions to ask yourself as you work through your own report writing project:

* What is the reason for the report?
* What is the nature of the problem or situation?
* How do you intend to gather your data?
* Are your sources reliable?
* Does your data confirm the original premise for the report?
* Did you verify controversial data?
* Are your conclusions based on your data?
* Did you resist making generalizations?
* Are recommendations based on findings and conclusions?
* Are recommendations feasible?
* Are you prepared to defend your recommendations?

Take the time to critically answer each of these questions. In other words, use these questions to play devil's advocate with the organization and substance of your report. It's hard work for sure, but well worth the effort if the exercise precludes having your report rejected because of a questionable or shoddy approach.

Please refer to the preceding Posting for more details and tips on this topic.

Jack