Analytical Report
Eng 209/WI
Writing Informational and Analytical Reports
1.0 Applying the Writing Process to Prepare Business Reports
Reports play a significant role in the careers of all business professionals. Reports fall into three basic categories: Informational reports offer data, facts, feedback, and other types of information, without analysis or recommendations. Analytical reports offer both information and analysis, and they can also include recommendations. Proposals (in our next module) offer structured persuasion for internal or external audiences. The nature of these reports varies widely, from one-page trip reports that follow a standard format to detailed business plans and proposals that can run hundreds of pages. No matter what the circumstances, try to view every business report as an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of your audience's challenges and your ability to contribute to your organization's success.
1.1 Analyzing the Situation
The complexity of many reports and the amount of work involved put a premium on carefully analyzing the situation before you begin to write. Pay special attention to your statement of purpose, which explains why you are preparing the report and what you plan to deliver in the report. (See Fig 1) Fig. 1 Problem Statement vs. Purpose Statement Problem Statement Purpose Statement Our company's market share is steadily To explore new ways of promoting and selling declining. our products and to recommend the approaches most likely to stabilize our market share. Our current computer network lacks sufficient To analyze various networking options and to bandwidth and cannot be upgraded to meet our recommend the system that will best meet our future needs. company's current and future needs. We need $2 million to launch our new product. To convince investors that our new business would be a sound investment so that we can obtain desired financing. Our current operations are too decentralized To justify the closing of
Writing Informational and Analytical Reports
1.0 Applying the Writing Process to Prepare Business Reports
Reports play a significant role in the careers of all business professionals. Reports fall into three basic categories: Informational reports offer data, facts, feedback, and other types of information, without analysis or recommendations. Analytical reports offer both information and analysis, and they can also include recommendations. Proposals (in our next module) offer structured persuasion for internal or external audiences. The nature of these reports varies widely, from one-page trip reports that follow a standard format to detailed business plans and proposals that can run hundreds of pages. No matter what the circumstances, try to view every business report as an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of your audience's challenges and your ability to contribute to your organization's success.
1.1 Analyzing the Situation
The complexity of many reports and the amount of work involved put a premium on carefully analyzing the situation before you begin to write. Pay special attention to your statement of purpose, which explains why you are preparing the report and what you plan to deliver in the report. (See Fig 1) Fig. 1 Problem Statement vs. Purpose Statement Problem Statement Purpose Statement Our company's market share is steadily To explore new ways of promoting and selling declining. our products and to recommend the approaches most likely to stabilize our market share. Our current computer network lacks sufficient To analyze various networking options and to bandwidth and cannot be upgraded to meet our recommend the system that will best meet our future needs. company's current and future needs. We need $2 million to launch our new product. To convince investors that our new business would be a sound investment so that we can obtain desired financing. Our current operations are too decentralized To justify the closing of