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You’ve put in the hard work of conducting research, analyzing data, or leading a project that you’re proud of.
Now comes the challenge—presenting it to executives effectively. Executives are time-strapped, big-picture thinkers. If your message isn’t concise and direct, it might lose its impact.
With an executive briefing, you can cut through the noise by distilling complex information into a focused, strategic document.
You might ask: what makes an executive brief different from an executive summary?
While an executive summary is a section of a larger document that gives a quick snapshot of the entire content, an executive brief is a stand-alone document that highlights what matters most in a way that influences decisions.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to craft an executive briefing that communicates the right details and frames your message for impact. I’ve also included professionally designed executive templates that you can customize right away.
Let’s get to it!
An executive briefing is a concise document that presents relevant insights from complex research reports or proposals in a clear and engaging format to help executives grasp what matters most and take action.
For instance, you can use the executive brief template example below to present the result of a market and competitor analysis to executives.
You can briefly share key insights such as trends, strengths, gaps and opportunities like this:
Your executive brief can be shared as a stand-alone document or alongside the full report to get decision-makers interested in the full details. You can also send it before a presentation to give leadership a quick overview of what you’re about to discuss.
Executive briefings and executive summaries serve similar purposes, but they’re not the same. Both highlight the most relevant information to spark interest and secure buy-in for an idea or investment.
The key difference is that an executive briefing is a standalone document that can be shared with or without the full report.
In contrast, an executive summary is an introductory section within a larger document. It furnishes the reader with key insights without requiring them to go through everything.
Instead of having leadership sift through overwhelming dashboards, executive briefs deliver targeted, high-impact insights directly to them.
The result? Faster decision-making, quick approvals and funding, business growth, increase in revenue and more.
Let’s check out other reasons executive briefings are worth creating.
A well-crafted briefing shouldn’t just pass a message—but catalyze action. Here’s how to draft it:
It's easy to assume that since an executive briefing is concise, it’s simply a summary of all the pieces of information you've gathered.
But that’s not the case. It’s strategically selecting insights that drive the response you want.
So, how do you decide what goes into the brief? It all comes down to purpose and audience.
Your brief must align with why you’re creating it and what the reader needs to know. Before writing, ask yourself two key questions.
1. Why am I writing this?
Are you proposing a new idea, providing a project status update, assessing risks, or requesting resources? Defining the goal helps determine what to include. For instance:
If you’re proposing a new initiative, highlight the problem, present a data-backed solution and make a compelling case for approval.
This way, even when you are using a template, you can tailor it to match your intended purpose to drive the best results.
2. Who am I writing this for?
Different stakeholders have different priorities, which affect what elements to emphasize.
For example, C-suite executives (CEOs, CFOs, COOs) prioritize the bottom line. Your focus should be on high-level strategy, financial impact, competitive advantage and long-term growth potential.
Executive briefings often start with an overview of the situation, issue, or objective—often called an executive summary. It should be concise (3–5 sentences at most), easy to understand and compelling enough to keep the reader reading.
In shorter briefs, especially one-page documents, this section may not have a formal label or may be skipped entirely. But when included, an effective executive summary should address:
For example, a market and competition executive brief could use this executive summary:
It's brief and to the point and highlights three main areas: market trends, competitor activities, and strategic insights. This gives decision-makers a clear picture of what’s in the brief.
This is the core of your brief. The section that justifies why you’re writing it. Think of it as bringing your audience up to speed.
If you’re providing a project update, highlight the latest milestone. For a financial or marketing report, showcase key achievements. If it’s an analysis, present your findings. Pitching a new idea? Clearly define the problem or market gap that makes your proposal necessary.
Below is a good example of how to write this section:
Executives don’t just need information; they need key data on what’s working, and the financial highlights in this template capture that perfectly.
Also, avoid dense paragraphs. Instead, use headings and bullet points for easy scanning. For data-heavy reports, use charts, graphs, or tables to aid understanding.
This step answers the question, “Where do we go from here?” It outlines the next steps based on the purpose of the brief above—whether that’s defining the next milestone in a project, identifying untapped opportunities in a report, or recommending ways to leverage insights from an analysis.
The level of emphasis on this section depends on the brief’s purpose. If the goal is to demonstrate progress in a project update, the previous section may need more detail, while this section can simply outline the next steps.
However, when proposing a new initiative, the solution must be as compelling as the problem to secure buy-in or investment.
Here’s an example:
A major reason this example stands out is that the long-term mitigation strategy section outlines specific, proactive steps rather than vague recommendations.
Even though the subject is technical, it clearly highlights critical actions that executives can quickly understand and act upon.
As with previous sections, use bullets, mini headers, or visuals to make key points easier to digest.
This section is not always necessary, but when a proposal involves potential obstacles, acknowledging them upfront shows that you really understand the project. Executives value a realistic assessment of challenges over an overly optimistic outlook.
Here, you’ll need to outline major risks that could affect the success of the project, initiative, or decision. These may include:
Here’s an example of how to present this section:
This example is excellent because the risks and challenges section is not only concise but also includes brief notes on how the risks can be mitigated.
Finally, wrap up the brief by reinforcing the key message and ensuring the reader knows what to do next.
This section should be concise, direct and action-driven. For instance, should the executive approve funding, greenlight the next phase, provide feedback, or make a decision? Make it clear.
Not only that, this section should restate the core message as a final reminder of why the issue, project, or proposal matters while emphasizing the benefits or potential impact of taking action.
Check out this template to see an example of how to write this section:
This conclusion works well because it summarizes the entire report and provides clear next steps for the next quarter.
Now that you know what your executive briefing should cover, you’re probably buzzing to get started.
Instead of building one from scratch, Visme offers customizable templates that save you time. With rich features such as branding tools, data visualization, collaboration tools, workflow tools and more, you can create executive briefings that are both informative and engaging.
Check out the templates:
Want to showcase your work in improving your company’s technology? This one-pager executive briefing template is what you need.
The template has clear spaces to bring executives up to speed with recent upgrades, performance metrics of released features and challenges or risks. By outlining clear objectives for the next quarter, you increase your chances of gaining the resources needed to keep the project moving forward.
Customize this template by adding your logo and adjusting colors and fonts to match your brand style. Alternatively, you can use Visme’s Brand Wizard tool. Simply enter your website URL and Visme will automatically extract your brand elements and save it for future projects.
If you’ve been assigned to research and analyze the market and competitors to shape your company’s strategy, this template is exactly what you need. It allows you to quickly update department heads on key competitor insights, market trends and opportunities to gain an edge.
The use of tables makes it easy to compare competitors against each other or against your own company. Instead of burying key data in text, using a chart draws attention to them while adding visual depth to the brief.
Visme makes sharing your template simple and secure. Click Share at the top right and select the "share privately" option to restrict access to specific people (like executives and key stakeholders).
This template simplifies real estate market analysis, making it easier to showcase key trends, competitive insights and investment opportunities in a compelling format. It goes beyond static data presentation by incorporating animation to create an engaging, interactive experience.
Instead of just animated charts, the template uses creative ways to compare competitor insights, making them easier to digest. You can also add interactive elements such as links, hotspots or pop-ups to provide more context without cluttering the document with text.
Made with Visme Presentation Maker
Tech moves so fast that what’s cutting-edge today might be outdated in months. To stay competitive, executives need clear, data-backed insights on what’s working and no longer works. This template helps you break down the state of the market, the different customer segments and your company’s competitive advantage.
Like the real estate market and competitor brief, this template goes beyond just listing data. It uses animation and interactive icons while presenting insights in a scannable, digestible format.
Preparing for your next quarterly or annual financial review? Use this simple, easy-to-understand financial executive briefing template to highlight key data. Whether you're seeking investment, helping leadership make strategic decisions, or addressing financial risks and opportunities, this template keeps your insights concise and impactful.
Since it's a financial report, less talk and more numbers make the most sense. The embedded chart makes it possible to visualize and compare various metrics together across different years or quarters.
If the default chart doesn’t suit your needs, Visme offers different types of graphs and charts, such as line charts, bar charts, tree diagrams, flow charts, and more. Feel free to explore until you find the one that best conveys your message. Also, you don’t need to enter data manually. Visme lets you upload a CSV file to populate the graph instantly, saving you time and effort.
If you need to report overall business performance to board members or shareholders while keeping them engaged, this template is the perfect fit. It provides a snapshot of how the company is performing on all fronts, including financials, operations, market positioning, sales figures and more.
With so much information at hand, it’s easy to go overboard with details. But since this is a one-page brief, it forces you to be selective and focus only on what matters.
If you've gathered insights from different departments and need them to confirm their data, use Visme’s collaboration tool. You can invite team members and grant them view, comment, or edit access to gather feedback or make direct changes for accuracy.
If you're crafting a strategy for market entry, competitive threats, or quarterly goals, this template helps you summarize your approach effectively. Your job here is to convey how you plan to achieve the objective so, that should be the focus of your brief.
Start with an overview that highlights the goal of the strategic plan, then follow up with the key tasks and actions within a set timeframe. Of course, no execution plan is without challenges, so outline potential obstacles. However, rather than just listing risks, offer insights on how to navigate them to ensure success.
Strategic planning is rarely a solo task, it often involves a committee responsible for different aspects, from research and writing to reviewing and design. Instead of dealing with endless back-and-forth emails and Slack threads or tracking edits manually, use Visme’s workflow tool to assign roles, track progress and ensure deadlines are met efficiently.
Use this beautiful project executive briefing template to report large-scale projects that rely heavily on visuals. With a focus on the project's current state, this template provides enough detail without overwhelming your audience.
Instead of simply listing key performance metrics, it presents them in a comparison table, measuring actual performance against targets for a clear view of progress. The next page dives into expenditure, using a graph to compare projected versus actual spending.
Easily swap out images to align with your project by importing custom photos in Visme. You can edit, crop, blur, resize and more to improve their quality. No custom images? Choose from our library, which has millions of stock photos.
If you want something unique, use the AI image generator. Describe what you need and you’ll get an original image in seconds.
This eight-page, eye-catching template is perfect for presenting policy and compliance reports that require more detail.
Since it spans multiple pages, it makes sense to include a table of contents at the beginning. This helps the reader find the sections that interest them easily. To make navigation even smoother, Visme allows you to add clickable links that take the reader to specific pages within the brief.
While this multi-page format gives you more space for details, it’s easy to go overboard with too much text. If you’re struggling to keep it tight, use the Visme AI writer. With just a click, the AI will refine your sentences for clarity and brevity.
If you work in legal, IT, or PR, much of your work is about mitigating crises and protecting the company's image. However, no matter how much you avoid them, some situations may unfold unexpectedly. When they do, you’ll need to report what happened, the actions taken and the impact.
This template helps you present a clear and concise breakdown of the situation. It emphasizes key impact metrics and long-term mitigation strategies. However, if the leadership team prefers a more detailed breakdown of your resolution methods, you can adjust the focus accordingly. The key is to tailor your report to the priorities of your audience.
Throughout this article, we’ve touched on common pitfalls to avoid when writing executive briefs but some mistakes are worth calling out directly. Here are some mistakes you should avoid when creating executive briefs. We’ve also added some expert insights.
An executive brief isn't a data dump. If your document feels like a full-blown research report, you’re doing it wrong. Strip it down to the essentials—the fewer words it takes to get the point across, the better.
Here’s what Tracie Crites, the Chief Marketing Officer of Heavy Equipment Appraisal has this to say regarding this:
“One mistake I’ve made in the past is assuming more data means more clarity. A few years ago, I sent out a 13-page brief outlining a marketing shift, complete with detailed charts and every data point I thought was relevant. It took less than five minutes for our CEO to ask, “What’s the actual recommendation here?” That was a hard lesson in keeping things concise. Now, I limit briefs to three pages, make sure the key takeaway is in the first paragraph, and leave supporting details for an appendix.”
Blocks of dense text kill engagement. Use headings and subheadings for scannability, bullet points, and tables to summarize data, and charts and visuals to highlight trends. Keep formatting clean and professional to guide attention.
Paul DeMott, Chief Technology Officer at Helium SEO shared some insights on this:
“I believe it is easy to forget the importance of visual appeal. A wall of text is intimidating and difficult to digest. Break up the information with charts, graphs, and other visuals. Visuals can often convey complex data more effectively than words alone. I use visuals to highlight trends, compare data points, and illustrate key findings. A well-designed brief is not only more appealing but also more effective at communicating your message.”
Avoid excessive technical terms or industry jargon that might confuse non-specialist executives. If a term is necessary, explain it briefly. Choose clarity over fancy, vague words every time.
Jason Rowe, founder of Hello Electrical shared some insights regarding this:
“Early on, I assumed that everyone reading the brief had the same level of industry knowledge. I once sent out a proposal with technical jargon that made perfect sense to me, but our partners outside the trade had no clue what half of it meant. That led to a two-week delay on a major project. Now, every brief gets a quick clarity check, if someone outside the business can’t grasp the key points in under two minutes, it gets rewritten.
A solid executive brief isn’t about sounding impressive; it’s about making decisions easier. Keep it clear, concise, and structured so the reader doesn’t have to dig for what matters.”
Creating your briefs based on internal data alone often fails in the real world. To fix this, include industry reports, regulatory updates, expert insights and more to give the leadership team a balanced perspective.
Here’s what Michael Schmied, a business analyst at KrediteSchweiz.ch said about this:
“I’ve spent years creating executive briefs for leadership teams, and I’ve learned that the biggest mistake is relying too much on internal data. Early on, I assumed that if we had strong internal reports—performance metrics, financial forecasts, and operational insights—we had everything we needed. But I quickly realized that without external perspectives, those reports only told part of the story.
I used to put together briefs that looked solid on paper, only to see decisions based on them fall flat. The missing piece? Market trends, competitor movements, and economic shifts that directly impacted outcomes. Internal data is useful, but without external validation, it can create blind spots. That led to plans that felt right internally but didn’t hold up in real-world conditions."
"To fix this, I made external insights a standard part of every brief. Industry reports, regulatory updates, and independent expert opinions started shaping our strategy, not just internal performance data. The results spoke for themselves—leaders made sharper, more proactive decisions instead of reacting too late.
If you want to avoid this mistake, start treating external data as essential, not optional. Build relationships with industry experts, track competitor moves, and make sure economic indicators are part of your analysis. Don’t let decision-makers walk into a meeting thinking they have the full picture when they’re only seeing what’s happening inside the company. A strong executive brief gives them context, not just numbers.”Michael says.
Ideally, executive briefs should be one page or under two pages. However, multiple pages can work if they use minimal text and more images.
An executive briefing summarizes key insights and actions in a standalone document, while an introduction sets the stage for a document or presentation.
The key parts of an executive summary are:
An executive briefing should be clear, concise and action-driven. Instead of overwhelming executives with details, it should highlight key insights, present data visually and make the next steps obvious. A strong brief speeds up decision-making and strengthens your case.
Of course, crafting a briefing that’s concise and compelling takes effort. And that’s where Visme comes in.
Instead of starting from scratch, use templates to save time. If you can’t find a template that matches your purpose, use Visme’s AI document generator to create a unique executive briefing. With built-in data visualization, design tools and AI-powered writing assistance, you can create a briefing that is polished, engaging and easy to understand.
Whether you’re presenting financial updates, strategic plans, market insights or even a creative brief, you can create professional, engaging documents without hassle.
Ready to start creating impactful executive briefs? Sign up on Visme to get started.
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