Informal Reports

CHAPTER

As a project manager, I find that progress reports are excellent tools to keep clients up to
speed. These reports detail the project's progression and provide valuable insight into
whether the objectives are being met and if any fine-tuning is required in the assignment
of resources and responsibilities.1
Heather Jack, project manager, Bell Canada

OBJECTIVES

i. Define a report project and gather data.

2. Organize report data using effective headings.
3. Identify six kinds of informal reports and four report formats.
4. Present data objectively to gain credibility.
5. Write information and progress reports.
6. Write justification, recommendation, and feasibility reports.
7. Write summary reports and meeting minutes.

Quick Check
Informal reports ore relatively
short (under ten pages) ond are
usually written in memo or letter
format.

ood report writers, as Heather Jack implies, are good at simplifying facts
so that anyone can understand them. Collecting information and organizing it clearly and simply into meaningful reports are skills that all successful businesspeople today require. In this age of information, reports play a
significant role in helping decision makers solve problems. You can learn to write
good reports by examining basic techniques and by analyzing appropriate models.
Because of their abundance and diversity, business reports are difficult to
define. They may range from informal e-mail trip reports to formal 200-page
financial forecasts. Reports may be presented orally in front of a group using
PowerPoint, while many reports appear as e-mails, memos, and letters. Still
others consist primarily of numerical data, such as tax reports or profit-and-loss
statements. Although reports vary in length, content, format, organization, and
level of formality, they all have one common purpose: they are systematic
attempts to answer business questions and solve business problems. In this
chapter we'll concentrate on informal reports. These reports tend to be short
(under ten pages); use e-mail, memo, or letter format; and are personal in tone.

Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

Reporting
Data

Informal Reports

Chapter 10

Proposals and Formal

Reports
NEL

Functions of Reports
Most reports can be classified into two functional categories: information reports
and analytical reports.

Information Reports
Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations are primarily
informational. Although writers collect and organize facts, they are not expected
to analyze the facts for readers. A trip report describing an employee's visit to a
conference, for example, simply presents information. Other reports that present
information without analysis involve routine operations, compliance with regulations, and company policies and procedures.

Analytical Reports
Reports that provide analysis and conclusions as well as data are analytical. If
requested, writers also supply recommendations. Analysis is the process of
breaking down a problem into its parts in order to understand it better and solve
it (for example, each time you write an outline, as shown in Figure 3.2 on page 53,
you are analyzing a problem). Analytical reports attempt to persuade readers to
act or change their opinions. For example, a recommendation report that compares several potential locations for an employee fitness club might recommend
one site, but not until after it has analyzed and discussed the alternatives. This
analysis should persuade readers to accept the writer's choice.

Report Formats and Organization

How should a report look? The following four formats are frequently used.
Letter format is appropriate for informal reports prepared by one organization
for another. These reports are much like letters except that they are more carefully organized, using headings and lists where appropriate.
E-mail and Memo format is common for informal reports written for circulation
within an organization. These internal reports follow the conventions of
e-mails and memos that you learned in Chapter 5with the addition of headings.
Manuscript format is used for longer, more complicated and more formal reports.
Printed on plain paper, with a cover, title page, executive summary, and table of
contents, these reports carefully follow a pattern that is described in detail in
Chapter 10. A sophisticated use of major headings (first level), subheadings
(second level) and sub-subheadings (third level) characterizes this format.
Prepared forms or templates are useful in reporting routine activities such as accident reports or merchandise inventories. Standardized headings on these forms
save time for the writer; forms also make similar information easy to locate.
Today's reports and other business documents are far more sophisticated than
typewritten documents of the past. Using a computer, you know how easy it is to
make your documents look as if they were professionally printed. In fact, many
business reports such as corporate annual reports are not typed; they are designed.
As a report writer, you have a wide selection of fonts and formats from which to
choose, plus a number of word processing capabilities to fashion attractive documents. Figure 9.1 (p. 224) offers suggestions to help you use these capabilities wisely.

NEL

Report Formats and Organization

Quick Check
Informal reports may appear in
four formats: letter, e-mail and
memo, or manuscript form, or on
prepared forms.

FIGURE 9.1

Ten Tips for Designing Better Documents

Desktop publishing packages, word processing programs, and laser printers now make it possible for you
to turn out professional-looking documents. The temptation, though, is to overdo it by incorporating too
many features in one document. Here are ten tips for
applying good sense and good design principles in
"publishing" your documents:
Analyze your audience. Avoid overly flashy type,
colours, and borders for conservative business documents. Also consider whether your readers will be
reading painstakingly or merely browsing. Lists
and headings help those readers who are in a hurry.
Choose an appropriate type size. For most business
memos, letters, and reports, the body text should be
10 to 12 points tall (a point is 1/72 of an inch).
Larger type looks amateurish, and smaller type is
hard to read.
Use a consistent type font Although your software
may provide a variety of fonts, stay with a single
family of type within one document. The most popular fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, and Helvetica. For emphasis and contrast, you may vary the
font size and weight with bold, italic, bold italic, and
other selections.
Don't justify right margins. Textbooks, novels,
newspapers, magazines, and other long works are
usually set with justified (even) right margins. However, for shorter works ragged-right margins are recommended because such margins add white space
and help readers locate the beginnings of new lines.
Slower readers find ragged-right copy more legible.
Separate paragraphs and sentences appropriately.
The first line of a paragraph should be indented or
preceded by a blank line. To separate sentences,
typists have traditionally left two spaces. This
spacing is still acceptable for most business documents. If you are preparing a newsletter or
brochure, however, you may wish to adopt printer's
standards, leaving one space after end punctuation.
Design readable headlines. Use upper- and lowercase letters for the most readable headlines. All caps
is generally discouraged because solid blocks of

capital letters interfere with recognition of word

patterns. To further improve readability, select a
sans serif typeface (one without cross strokes or
embellishment), such as Helvetica or Arial.
Strive for an attractive page layout. In designing
title pages or visual aids, provide for a balance
between print and white space. Also consider
placing the focal point (something that draws the
reader's eye) at the optical centre of a pageabout
three lines above the actual centre. Moreover,
remember that the average reader scans a page
from left to right and top to bottom in a Z pattern.
Plan your visuals accordingly.
Use graphics and clip art with restraint. Images
created with spreadsheet or graphics programs can
be imported into documents. Original drawings,
photographs, and clip art can also be scanned or cut
and pasted into documents. Use such images, however, only when they are well drawn, relevant, purposeful, and appropriately sized.
Avoid amateurish results. Many beginning writers,
eager to display every graphic device a program
offers, produce busy, cluttered documents. Too
many typefaces, ruled lines, images, and oversized
headlines will overwhelm readers. Strive for simple,
clean, and forceful effects.
Become comfortable with templates. As mentioned
in earlier chapters, word processing software has
sophisticated templates that can be used by business writers. Also, most companies have their own
report templates they will want you to follow.
Because not all of us can be gifted designers, a
report template such as Microsoft Word's "Elegant
Report" can save a lot of time and produce professional-looking results. Templates are not magic,
though. It takes time to learn how to make them
work for you. Spend some time working with one
of the report templates on your word processing
software. Decide whether it makes more sense for
you to use a template, to follow the examples in this
book, or to make one up on your own. Your
instructor may make the decision for you.

When it comes to the organization of your informal report, you have two
choices. Like correspondence discussed earlier in this book, reports may be organized directly or indirectly. The choice rests on the content of your report and the
expectations of your audience.
The direct pattern is the most common organizational pattern for business
reports. In an informational business report such as a trip report, the report
opens with a short introduction, followed by the facts, and finally a summary.
Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

Figure 9.2 shows such a direct-pattern information report. Notice that because
it is an e-mail, the writer has dispensed with headings for her three sections.
Many businesspeople prefer the direct pattern because it gives them the results
of the report immediately. An analytical report may also be organized directly,
especially when readers are supportive and familiar with the topic. In an analytical business report such as a recommendation report, the report opens with
a short introduction, followed by the conclusions and recommendations, then
the facts and findings, and finally the analysis and discussion. Figure 9.6, later
in the chapter, shows a direct-pattern analytical report.
The indirect pattern is also used when writing business reports. Information
reports are never indirect, but analytical reports may be. The difference
between direct and indirect analytical reports is simply the placement of the
conclusions and recommendations. In an indirect-pattern report, the introduction comes first, followed by the facts and findings, the analysis and discussion,
and only then by the conclusions and recommendations. This pattern is helpful
when readers are unfamiliar with the problem. It's also useful when readers
must be persuaded or when they may be disappointed, skeptical, or hostile

FIGURE 9.2

Information ReportE-Mail Format

Software Expo 07 Report

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Format

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!) ! ^Forward ! ^ - > | -4 I T ! I J^> X I *

From:

Nancy Pinto <npinto@softsolutions.ca>

- ' - & I '>

Sent; June 30, 2007

To;
Mitch Freeman <mfreeman@softsolutions.ca>
Cc;
Subject: Software Expo 07 Report
Hi Mr. Freeman,
As requested, here's a brief trip report describing the details of my recent time spent at Software
Expo 07 in San Francisco.
I arrived in San Francisco on June 18 and, after lunch, began attending expo activities:

Microsoft Seminarinfo on expected launch of Windows 07 (June 18 pm)

Breakfast MeetingJerry Schwartz of AccPac (June 19 am)

Industry Roundtable on the Future of Accounting Softwareuseful networking opportunity

(June 19 am)

Lunch MeetingLisa O'Toole of Microsoft (June 19 pm)

Software Fairuseful networking opportunity (June 19 pm)

Dinner MeetingTom Nzobugu and Bill McKay of SAS (June 19 pm)

In essence, Software Expo continues to be a great networking opportunity. It's important for our
company to have a presence at this high-profile show, especially because of the competitive
nature of our business. I made a number of useful contacts, and I think I've located two hot new
software products without current licensing or sales and distribution agreements in Canada.
Regards,
Nancy

NEL

Report Formats and Organization

FIGURE s.3 Audience Analysis and Report Organization

Are readers
informed?

Are readers
supportive?

Are readers
eager to have
results first?

Do readers
need to be
educated?

Will readers be
disappointed
or hostile?

Direct
Pattern

Information Report

Do readers
need to be
persuaded?

Indirect
Pattern

Analytical Report

Analytical Report

Introduction/Background .

Introduction/Problem

Introduction/Problem

CONCLUSIONS/
RECOMMENDATIONS.

Facts/Findings

Facts/Findings

Discussion/Analysis.
Facts/Findings _

SummaryDiscussion/Analysis .

CONCLUSIONS/
RECOMMENDATIONS _

toward the report's findings. A side benefit of the indirect pattern is that it
reads like a novel or movie, building "suspense" toward a climax, which is
resolved in the conclusions and recommendations.
Figure 9.3 summarizes the questions you should ask yourself about your audience before writing your report, as well as your choices for structuring your
informal business report.
Guidelines for Writing Informal Reports
Your natural tendency in preparing a report may be to sit down and begin writing
immediately. If you follow this urge, however, you will very likely have to rewrite
or even start again. Reports take planning, beginning with defining the project
and gathering data. The following guidelines will help you plan your project.
Defining the Project

i o report by drotting a
statement of purpose. Explain
why you are writing the report.

Begin the process of report writing by defining your project. This definition
should include a statement of purpose. Ask yourself: Am I writing this report to
inform, to analyze, to solve a problem, or to persuade? The answer to this question should be a clear, accurate statement identifying your purpose. In informal
reports the statement of purpose may be only one sentence; that sentence usually
becomes part of the introduction. Notice how the following introductory statement describes the purpose of the report:
This report presents information regarding professional development activities coordinated and supervised by the Human Resources Department between the first of the
year and the present.
Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

After writing a statement of purpose, analyze who will read your report. If
your report is intended for your immediate supervisors and they are supportive
of your project, you need not include extensive details, historical development,
definition of terms, or persuasion. Other readers, however, may require background information and persuasive strategies.
The expected audience for your report influences your writing style, research
method, vocabulary, areas of emphasis, and communication strategy. Remember,
too, that your audience may consist of more than one set of readers. Reports are
often distributed to secondary readers who may need more details than the primary reader.

Gathering Data
A good report is based on solid, accurate, verifiable facts. Typical sources of factual information for informal reports include (1) company records; (2) observation; (3) surveys, questionnaires, and inventories; (4) interviews; and (5) research.
Company Records. Many business-related reports begin with an analysis of
company records and files. From these records you can observe past performance
and methods used to solve previous problems. You can collect pertinent facts that
will help determine a course of action.
Observation. Another logical source of data for many problems lies in personal
observation and experience. For example, if you were writing a report on the need
for additional computer equipment, you might observe how much the current
equipment is being used and for what purpose.
Surveys, Questionnaires, and Inventories. Primary data from groups of
people can be collected most efficiently and economically by using surveys, questionnaires, and inventories. For example, if you were part of a committee investigating the success of a campus recycling program, you might begin by using a
questionnaire to survey use of the program by students and faculty. You might
also do some informal telephoning to see if departments on campus know about
the program and are using it.
interviews. Talking with individuals directly concerned with the problem produces excellent primary information. Interviews also allow for one-on-one communication, thus giving you an opportunity to explain your questions and ideas
in eliciting the most accurate information.
Electronic and other Research. In doing secondary research information for
reports, you would probably be interested in finding examples from other organizations that shed light on the problem identified in your report. You might also
check out your competitors to see what they are currently doing and what they
have done in the past. An extensive source of current and historical information
is available electronically through online library databases and other online
resources. From a home, office, or library computer you can obtain access to vast
amounts of information provided by governments, newspapers, magazines, and
companies from all over the world. For informal reports the most usable data will
probably be found in periodicals and online resources. Chapter 10 contains more
detailed suggestions about online research.

Developing an Appropriate Writing Style

Like other business messages, reports can range from informal to formal, depending
on their purpose, audience, and setting. Research reports from consultants to their
NEL

Guidelines for Writing Informal Reports

Quick Check
The farts for reports ore often
obtained from company records,
observation, surveys, interviews,
and research.

FIGURE 9.4

Report-Writing Styles

Use for ...

Effect is ...

Characteristics
are ...

Informal Writing Style

Short, routine reports
Reports for familiar audiences
Noncontroversial reports
Most reports for company insiders
Feeling of warmth, personal
involvement, closeness

Formal Writing Style

Theses
Research studies
Controversial or complex reports
(especially to outsiders)
Impression of objectivity,
accuracy, professionalism, fairness
Distance created between writer and
reader
Absence of first-person
Use of first-person pronouns
pronouns; use of third-person (the
(/, we, me, my, us, our)
researcher, the writer)
Absence
of contractions (cannot, do not)
Use of contractions (can't, don't)
Emphasis on active-voice verbs (/
Use of passive-voice verbs (the study
conducted the study)
was conducted)
Shorter sentences; familiar words
Complex sentences; long words
Absence of humour and figures of
Occasional use of humour, metaphors
speech
Reduced use of coloruful adjectives
Occasional use of colourful speech
and adverbs
Acceptance of author's opinions and ideas Elimination of "editorializing"
(author's opinions, perceptions)
clients tend to be rather formal. Such reports must project an impression of objectivity, authority, and impartiality. But a report to your boss describing a trip to a conference (as in Figure 9.2) would probably have informal elements. You can see the
differences between formal and informal styles in Figure 9.4.
In this chapter we are most concerned with an informal writing style. Your
informal reports will probably be written for familiar audiences and involve noncontroversial topics. You may use first-person pronouns (/, we, me, my, us, our) and
contractions (I'm, we'll). You'll emphasize active-voice verbs and strive for shorter
sentences using familiar words.

Using Headings Effectively

Quick Chetk
Functional headings show the outline of o report; talking headings
provide more information.

Headings are helpful to both the report reader and the writer. For the reader they
serve as an outline of the text, highlighting major ideas and categories. They also
act as guides for locating facts and pointing the way through the text. Moreover,
headings provide resting points for the mind and for the eye, breaking up large
chunks of text into manageable and inviting segments. For the writer, headings
force organization of the data into meaningful blocks.
You may choose functional or talking headings. Functional headings (such as
Introduction, Discussion of Findings, and Summary) help the writer outline a report;
they are used in the progress report shown in Figure 9.5 (p. 232). But talking headings (such as Students Perplexed by Shortage of Parking or Short-Term Parking Solutions) provide more information to the reader. Many of the examples in this chapter
use functional headings for the purpose of instruction. To provide even greater
clarity, you can make headings both functional and descriptive, such as Recommendations: Shuttle and New Structures. Whether your headings are talking or functional,
keep them brief and clear. Here are general tips on displaying headings effectively:

Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

 Consistency. The cardinal rule of headings is that they should be consistent. In

other words, don't use informational headings in three of four cases and a
talking heading in the fourth case. Or, don't use bolded headings for 80 percent
of your report and underlined headings for the other 20 percent.
Strive for parallel construction. Use balanced expressions such as Visible Costs
and Invisible Costs rather than Visible Costs and Costs That Don't Show.
Use only short first- and second-level headings. Many short business reports
contain only one or two levels of headings. For such reports use first-level
headings (centred, bolded) and/or second-level headings (flush left, bolded).
Capitalize and underline carefully. Most writers use all capital letters (without
underlines) for main titles, such as the report, chapter, and unit titles. For firstand second-level headings, they capitalize only the first letter of main words.
For additional emphasis, they use a bold font.
Keep headings short but clear. Try to make your headings brief (no more than
eight words) but understandable. Experiment with headings that concisely tell
who, what, when, where, and why.
Don't enclose headings in quotation marks. Quotation marks are appropriate
only for marking quoted words or words used in a special sense, such as slang.
They are unnecessary in headings.
Don't use headings as antecedents for pronouns such as this, that, these, and
those. For example, when the heading reads Laser Printers, don't begin the next
sentence with These are often used with desktop publishing software.

Being Objective
Reports are convincing only when the facts are believable and the writer is credible. You can build credibility in a number of ways:
Present both sides of an issue. Even if you favour one possibility, discuss both
sides and show through logical reasoning why your position is superior.
Remain impartial, letting the facts prove your point.
Separate fact from opinion. Suppose a supervisor wrote Our department works
harder and gets less credit than any other department in the company. This opinion is
difficult to prove, and it damages the credibility of the writer. A more convincing statement might be Our productivity has increased 6 percent over the past
year, and I'm proud of the extra effort my employees are making. After you've made
a claim or presented an important statement in a report, ask yourself: Is this a
verifiable fact? If the answer is no, rephrase your statement to make it sound
more reasonable.
Be sensitive and moderate in your choice of language. Don't exaggerate.
Instead of saying most people think ... , it might be more accurate to say some
people think .... Obviously, avoid using labels and slanted expressions. Calling
someone an idiot, a techie, or an elitist demonstrates bias. If readers suspect that
a writer is prejudiced, they may discount the entire argument.
Cite sources. Tell your readers where the information came from by using leadins to your quotations and paraphrases, and by citing your sources. If you don't
do so, you are probably guilty of plagiarism, which is discussed in more detail
in Chapter 10. For example, in a report that reads In a recent Vancouver
Province article, Blake Spence, Director of Transportation, argues that the Sky Train
must be expanded to cope with the influx of tourists expected during the 2010
Olympics. (A17), "Blake Spence ... argues that" is the lead-in, and "(AIT)" is the
page reference. Together these two elements are a citation.

NEL

Guidelines for Writing Informal Reports

Quick Check
author is impartial, separates fact
from opinion, uses moderate
language, and cites sources.

Six Kinds of Informal Reports

.'.'-' ; -.-

You are about to examine six categories of informal reports frequently written in
business. In many instances the boundaries of the categories overlap; distinctions
are not always clear-cut. Individual situations, goals, and needs may make one
report take on some characteristics of a report in another category. Still, these general categories, presented here in a brief overview, are helpful to beginning writers.
The reports will be illustrated and discussed in more detail below.
Quick Check
Reports thof provide doto ore
informofional; reports thot draw
conclusions and moke recommendations ore onolyticol.

Information reports. Reports that collect and organize information are informative or investigative. They may record routine activities such as daily,
weekly, and monthly reports of sales or profits. They may investigate options,
performance, or equipment. Although they provide information, they do not
analyze that information.
Progress reports. Progress reports monitor the headway of unusual or nonroutine activities. For example, progress reports would keep management
informed about a committee's preparations for a trade show 14 months from
now. Such reports usually answer three questions: (1) Is the project on
schedule? (2) Are corrective measures needed? (3) What activities are next?
Justification/Recommendation reports. Recommendation and justification
reports are similar to information reports in that they present information.
However, they offer analysis in addition to data. They attempt to solve problems by evaluating options and offering recommendations. Usually these
reports revolve around a significant company decision.
Feasibility reports. When a company or organization must decide whether to
proceed with a plan of action based on a previously accepted recommendation,
it may require a feasibility report that establishes how possible the plan is. For
example, a company has decided to redesign its Web site, but how feasible is it
to have the redesign accomplished in six months' time? A feasibility report
would examine the practicality of implementing the recommendation or proposal.
Summary Reports. A summary condenses the primary ideas, conclusions, and
recommendations of a longer report or publication. Employees may be asked
to write summaries of technical or research reports. Students may be asked to
write summaries of periodical articles or books to sharpen their writing skills.
Minutes of meetings. A final type of informal report is "the minutes" of a
meeting. This is a record of the proceedings and action points of a meeting.
Although informal business meetings today take place without minutes being
recorded, many companies, organizations, clubs, committees, and boards still
require minutes to be recorded. The person delegated to take notes at a meeting
usually turns them into the minutes, distributes them to the participants after
the meeting, asks for revisions, and then files the report. You'll find more information on meetings in Chapter 11.

Information Reports
Writers of information reports provide information without drawing conclusions
or making recommendations. Some information reports are highly standardized,
such as police reports, hospital admittance reports, monthly sales reports, or statistical reports on government program use. Many of these are fill-in reports using
prepared forms or templates for recurring data and situations. Other information
reports are more personalized, as illustrated in Figure 9.2 on page 225. They often
include these sections:
Chapter 9 Informal Reports

Introduction
The introduction to an information report may be called Introduction or Background. In this section do the following: (1) explain why you are writing, (2)
describe what methods and sources were used to gather information and why
they are credible, (3) provide any special background information that may be
necessary, (4) give the purpose of the report, if known, and (5) offer a preview of
your findings. You'll notice in Figure 9.2 that not all five of these criteria are met,
nor is a heading included, because it is a short informal information report. However, if you were writing an information report for a client in letter format, you
would use the heading "Introduction" and try to fit in all five criteria.

Qoick Check
Information reports usually contain
three parts: introduction, findings,
and summary.

Findings
The findings section of a report may also be called Observations, Facts, Results, or
Discussion. Important points to consider in this section are organization and display. Consider one of these methods of organization: (1) chronological, (2) alphabetical, (3) topical, or (4) most to least important. You'll notice that in Figure 9.2,
the writer uses a chronological method of organization.
To display the findings effectively, number paragraphs, underline or boldface
key words, or use other graphic highlighting methods such as bullets. Be sure that
words used as headings are parallel in structure. If the findings require elaboration, either include this discussion with each segment of the findings or place it in
a separate section entitled Discussion.

Summary
A summary section is optional. If it is included, use it to summarize your findings
objectively and impartially.
The information report shown in Figure 9.2 summarizes the facts laid out in
bullet format by looking for commonalities (networking opportunities) and
putting these facts into perspective (all Expo .events led to exposure for Nancy's
company). In addition, the significance of the facts is explained (Nancy may have
found some new products for her company to sell in Canada).
Notice how easy this information report is to read. Short paragraphs, ample use
of graphic highlighting, white space, and concise writing all contribute to
improved readability.
Progress Reports

Progress reports describe the headway of unusual or nonroutine projects. Most

progress reports include these four parts:
The purpose and nature of the project
A complete summary of the work already completed
A thorough description of work currently in progress, including personnel,
methods, and obstacles, as well as attempts to remedy obstacles
A forecast of future activities in relation to the scheduled completion date,
including recommendations and requests
In Figure 9.5 (p. 232) Maria Robinson explains the construction of a realty company branch office. She begins with a statement summarizing the construction
progress in relation to the expected completion date. She then updates the reader
with a brief recap of past progress. She emphasizes the present status of construction and concludes by describing the next steps to be taken.

NEL

Progress Reports

Quick Check
whether nonroutine projects are
on schedule.

FIGURE s.s Progress Report

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS OF MISSISSAUGA BRANCH OFFICE
de

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. \ I T !

From:

Maria Robinson <mrobinson@prealty.ca>

To:

Dorothy Prevatt <dprevatt@prealty,ca>

5ent; April 20, 2007

Cc:
Subject:

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS OF MISSISSAUGA BRANCH OFFICE

Dear Ms. Prevatt,

Construction of Prevatt Realty's Mississauga branch office has entered Phase 3. Although we are one
week behind the contractor's original schedule, the building should be ready for occupancy August 15.
Past Progress
Phase 1 involved development of the architect's plans; this process was completed February 5. Phase 2
involved submission of the plans for local building permit approval. The plans were then given to four
contractors for estimates. The lowest bidder was Hoist Brothers Contractors. This firm began
construction on March 25.

Introduces
report with a
summary
Describes
"completed
work concisely

Present Status
Phase 3 includes initial construction procedures. The following steps have been completed as of April 20:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Demolition of existing building 273 Lakeshore Boulevard

Excavation of foundation footings for the building and for the surrounding wall
Installation of steel reinforcing rods in building pad and wall
Pouring of concrete foundation

Itemizes
current
activities

The contractor indicated that he was one week behind schedule for the following reasons:
1. The building inspectors required additional steel reinforcement not shown on the architect's
blueprints.
2. The excavation of the footings required more time than the contractor anticipated because the
Number 4 footings were all below grade.
Future Schedule
Despite some time lost in Phase 3, we are substantially on target for the completion of this office building
by August 1. Phase 4 includes framing, drywalling, and plumbing.

Projects future
activities

Tips for Writing Progress Reports

Identify the purpose and the nature of the
project immediately.
Supply background information only if the
reader must be educated.
Describe the work completed.
Discuss the work in progress, including personnel, activities, methods, and locations.
Identify problems and possible remedies.
Consider future activities.
Close by giving the expected date of
completion.

Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

Some business communicators use progress reports to do more than merely

report progress. These reports can also be used to offer ideas and suggest possibilities. Let's say you are reporting on the progress of redesigning the company
Web site. You might suggest a different way to handle customer responses.
Instead of making an official recommendation, which might be rejected, you can
lay the foundation for a change within your progress report. Progress reports can
also be used to build the image of a dedicated, conscientious employee.

Justification/Recommendation Reports
Both managers and employees must occasionally write reports that justify or recommend something, such as buying equipment, changing a procedure, hiring an
employee, consolidating departments, or investing funds. Large organizations
sometimes prescribe how these reports should be organized; they use forms with
conventional headings. At other times, such reports are not standardized. For
example, an employee takes it upon himself to write a report suggesting improvements in telephone customer service because he feels strongly enough about it.
When you are free to select an organizational plan yourself, however, let your
audience and topic determine your choice of direct or indirect structure.
For nonsensitive topics and recommendations that will be agreeable to readers,
you can organize directly according to the following sequence:

Quick (beck
justification/recommendation
reports analyze a problem, discuss
options, ond present a recommendation, solution, or action to be
taken.

In the introduction identify the problem or need briefly.

Announce the recommendation, solution, or action concisely and with action
verbs.
Discuss pros, cons, and costs. Explain more fully the benefits of the recommendation or steps to be taken to solve the problem.
Conclude with a summary specifying the recommendation and action to be
taken.
Justin Brown applied the preceding process in writing the recommendation
report shown in Figure 9.6 (p. 234). Justin is operations manager in charge of a
fleet of trucks for a large parcel delivery company in Richmond, BC. When he
heard about a new Goodyear smart tire with an electronic chip, Justin thought his
company should give the new tire a try. His recommendation report begins with
a short introduction to the problem followed by his two recommendations. Then
he explains the product and how it would benefit his company. He concludes by
highlighting his recommendation and specifying the action to be taken.

Feasibility Reports
Feasibility reports examine the practicality and advisability of following a course of
action. They answer this question: Will this plan or proposal work? Feasibility
reports are typically internal reports written to advise on matters such as consolidating departments, offering a wellness program to employees, or hiring an outside
firm to handle a company's accounting or computing operations. These reports may
also be written by consultants called in to investigate a problem. The focus in these
reports is on the decision: stopping or proceeding with the proposal. Since your role
is not to persuade the reader to accept the decision, you'll want to present the decision immediately. In writing feasibility reports, consider this plan:
Announce your decision immediately.
Describe the background and problem necessitating the proposal.
Feasibility Reports

Qukk Check
Feasibility reports analyze whether
a proposal or plan will work.

FIGURE s.s Justification/Recommendation ReportMemo Format

Interoffice Memo

Applies memo
format for short
informal
internal report

Presents
recommendations
immediately

DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:

Pacific Trucking, Inc.

July 19, 2006

Bill Montgomery, Vice President
Justin Brown, Operations Manager
Pilot Testing Smart Tires

Next to fuel, truck tires are our biggest operating cost. Last year we spent
$S11,000 replacing and retreading tires for 495 trucks. This year the costs will be
greater because prices have jumped at least 12 percent and because we've
increased our fleet to BSO trucks. Truck tires are an additional burden since they
require labour-intensive paperwork to track their warranties, wear, and' retread
histories. To reduce our long-term costs and to improve our tire tracking system, I
recommend that we do the following:
-*

Introduces
problem briefly

Purchase 24 Goodyear smart tires.

Begin a one-year pilot test on four trucks.

Row Smart Tires Work

Smart tires have an embedded computer chip that monitors wear, performance,
and durability. The chip also creates an electronic fingerprint for positive
- identification of a tire. By passing a hand-held sensor next to the tire, we can learn
where and when a tire was made (for warranty and other information), how much
tread it had originally, and its serial number.

Justifies
recommendation
by explaining
product and
benefits

Explains
recommendation
in more detail

How Smart Tires Could Benefit Us

- Although smart tires are initially more expensive than other tires, they could help
us improve our operations and save us money in four ways:
1. Retreads. Goodyear believes that the wear data is so accurate that we should be *
able to retread every tire three times, instead of our current two times. If that's
true, in one year we could save at least $27,000 in new tire costs.
2. Safety. Accurate and accessible wear data should reduce the danger of blowouts
and flat tires. Last year, drivers reported six blowouts.
3. Record keeping and maintenance. Smart tires could reduce our Tnft.irit.fina.nra
costs considerably. Currently, we use an electric branding iron to mark serial
numbers on new tires. Our biggest headache is manually reading those serial
numbers, decoding them, and maintaining records to meet safety regulations.
Reading such data electronically could save us thousands of dollars in labour.
4. Theft protection. The chip can be used to monitor each tire as it leaves or
enters the warehouse or yard, thus discouraging theft.
*

Enumerates items
for maximum
I impact and
readability

Summary and Action

Specifically, I recommend that you do the following:
Authorize the special purchase of 24 Goodyear smart tires at $450 each, plus
one electronic sensor at $1,200.
Approve a one-year pilot test in our Lower Mainland territory that equips four
trucks with smart tires and tracks their performance.

Specifies action to
be taken

Tips for Memo Reports

Use memo format for most short (ten or fewer pages)
informal reports within an organization.
Leave side margins of \o 1 % inches.
Sign your initials on the FROM line.
Use an informal, conversational style.
For a receptive audience, put recommendations first.
For an unreceptive audience, put recommendations
last.

Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

Discuss the benefits of the proposal.

Describe any problems that may result.
Calculate the costs associated with the proposal, if appropriate.
Show the time frame necessary for implementation of the proposal.

Elizabeth Webb, customer service manager for a large insurance company in

London, Ontario, wrote the feasibility report shown in Figure 9.7. Because her
FIGURE 0.7

Feasibility ReportE-mail Format

FEASIBILITY OF PROGRESSION SCHEDULE FOR GSRs
Fte

Edit

View

Insert

Format

loots

^i Reply i .^ReplytoAB I ..^Forward ' ,^

From:

fictions

Haip

l-ii'Ti^l-^X

Elizabeth W. Webb <ewebb@bmc.ca>

Sent: November 11, 2007

To:
Shauna Clay-Taylor <sclaytaylor@bmc.ca>
Cc:
Subject: FEASIBILITY OF PROGRESSION SCHEDULE FOR CSRs
Hi Shauna

Outlines
organization
of report

The plan calling for a progression schedule for our customer service representatives is
workable, and I think it could be fully implemented by April 1. This report discusses the
background, benefits, problems, costs, and time frame involved in executing the plan.
Background: Training and Advancement Problems for CSRs. Because of the many
insurance policies and agents we service, new customer service representatives require
eight weeks of intensive training. Even after this thorough introduction, CSRs are
overwhelmed. They take about eight more months before feeling competent on the job.
Once they reach their potential, they often look for other positions in the company because
they see few advancement possibilities in customer service. These problems were
submitted to an outside consultant, who suggested a CSR progression schedule.

Evaluates
positive
and
negative
aspects of
proposal
objectively

Reveals
decision
immediately
Describes
problem and
background

Benefits of Plan: Career Progression and Incremental Training. The proposed plan sets
up a schedule of career progression, including these levels: (1) CSR trainee, (2) CSR Level I,
(3) CSR Level II, (4) CSR Level III, (5) Senior CSR, and (6) CSR supervisor. This program,
which includes salary increments with each step, provides a career ladder and incentives
for increased levels of expertise and achievement. The plan also facilitates training. Instead
of overloading a new trainee with an initial eight-week training program, we would train
CSRs slowly with a combination of classroom and on-the-job experiences. Each level
requires additional training and expertise.
- Problems of Plan: Difficulty in Writing Job Descriptions and Initial Confusion. One of
the biggest problems will be distinguishing the job duties at each level. However, I believe
that, with the help of our consultant, we can sort out the tasks and expertise required at
each level. Another problem will be determining appropriate salary differentials. Attached is
a tentative schedule showing proposed wages at each level. We expect to encounter
confusion and frustration in implementing this program at first, particularly in placing our
current CSRs within the structure.
Costs. Implementing the progression schedule involves two direct costs. The first is the
salary of a trainer, at about $40,000 a year. The second cost derives from increased salaries
of upper-level CSRs, shown on the attached schedule. I believe, however, that the costs
involved are within the estimates planned for this project.
Time Frame. Developing job descriptions should take us about three weeks. Preparing a
training program will require another three weeks. Once the program is started, I expect a
breaking-in period of at least three months. By April 1 the progression schedule will be fully
implemented and showing positive results in improved CSR training, service, and retention.
Attachment

Feasibility Reports

Presents costs
and schedule;
omits
unnecessary
summary

company had been losing customer service reps (CSRs) after they were trained,
she talked with the vice-president about the problem. He didn't want her to take
time away from her job to investigate what other companies were doing to retain
their CSRs. Instead, he suggested that they hire a consultant to investigate what
other companies were doing to keep their CSRs. The vice-president then wanted
to know whether the consultant's plan was feasible. Although Elizabeth's report
is only one page long, it provides all the necessary information: background, benefits, problems, costs, and time frame.

Summary Reports
Quid Qtetk
A summary condenses the primary
ideas, conclusions, and recommendations of a longer publication.

In today's knowledge economy, information is what drives organizations. Information is important because without it, business decisions cannot be made.
Because there is a huge amount of information available today on any given topic
(e.g., the millions of pages of Web material), people who make decisions don't
always have the time to read and review all the information on a particular
problem, issue, or topic. Therefore, decision makers need the essential elements of
an issue or problem presented in a short, logical, easy-to-understand format that
helps them quickly grasp what's vital.
Any time you take what someone else has written or said and reduce it to a
concise, accurate, and faithful version of the originalin your own wordsyou
are summarizing. A well-written summary report does three things: (1) it provides all the important points from the original without introducing new material;
(2) it has a clear structure that often reflects the structure of the original material;
and (3) it is independent of the original, meaning the reader of the summary can
glean all essential information in the original without having to refer to it.
The ability to summarize well is a valuable skill for a number of reasons. Businesspeople are under pressure today to make decisions based on more information than ever before. Someone who can summarize that information into its key
parts is way ahead of someone who cannot. Second, summarizing is a key communication task in many businesses today. For example, a financial advisor must
be able to summarize reports on mutual funds and stocks so that her client can
understand what's truly important. Third, the ability to summarize makes you a
better writer. As you learn to pick apart the structure of articles, reports, and
essays written by professional writers such as journalists, for example, you can
introduce their tricks of the trade into your own writing. Finally, as part of writing
the more complex reports discussed in Chapter 10, you will have, to write executive summaries of your own work. Why not learn how to do this by summarizing
other peoples' writing first?
There are four steps to writing an effective summary:
Read the material carefully for understanding. Ideally, you will read the original three times. The first time you read to understand the topic. The second
time you read with a pen, pencil, or highlighter in hand and you underline the
main points (usually no more than three in an article-length piece). Finally, you
should read again and underline or flag connections, patterns such as lists, contradictions, and similarities. These are often the sites of main points.
Lay out the structure of your summary. This step is easy to accomplish. You
simply write the main points you've underlined in the first step in a list. For
example, the person summarizing the Toronto Star article in Figure 9.8 has identified three main points (MP), three contradictions (C), and two patterns (P). To
lay out the structure of his summary, he would simply write:
1. The federal government's retail debt program is costly, unsustainable, and
should be phased out.

Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

FIGURE 9.8

Article for Summary

Report queries value of

Canada Savings Bonds
Ellen Roseman
Just before the Labour Day
weekend, the federal government released a disturbing assessment of the Canada Savings
Bond program.
Three-and-a-half million Canadians own the savings bonds,
first offered in 1946. They are
seen as secure and easily cashable.
;) But, according to consulting
firm Cap Gemini Ernst & Young,
thefederal government's retail
debt program is costly, unsus' JJejind should be phased
oaf.
"Finance Minister Ralph Goodale responded by saying he
wouldn't make any changes at
this time. The 2004-2005 sales
campaign would go on as
planned next month.
(Q But. I guarantee you'll think
twice about the program's value
if you read the Cap Gemini report,
(pv
You'll find it on the Internerat
the finance department's website, www.fin.gc.ca. Make sure
you search for the 164-page appendices, which I found far
more interesting than the summarized 36-page final report
Cap Gemini finished its work
on Jan. 31, but the release was
delayed until after the June 28
federal election.
"This certainly cuts into Paul
Martin's image as a deficit fighter in the 1990s," says freedomof-mformation activist Ken Rubin, who pushed for the report's
publication (and is challenging
the parts that were omitted).
Lef s start with the Canada Investment and Savings Agency,
set up in 1995 as a special operating agency within the finance
department.
Its mandate was to reverse the
declining trend in the holding of
federal securities by individual
investors.

NEL

At the time, the CSB campaign ! keeping this channel open," the
had $3.5 billion in gross sales. : finance department said in a re\, sales are still stuck in the :
lease this month.
range of $2.8 billion to $3.5 bil- : But consider the following
lion a year.
: when analyzing the costs and
The relaunch did not reverse : benefits_Qf Carjada_Sayings'
the declining trend. And the ad- Bonds, (fotj)
-^
dition of new products, such as | First darnrang argument: Mar-\g is expensive. The Canada
the less cashable Canada Premi- '
um Bond designed for regis- Investment and Savings Agenteredplans.simplycannibalized ; cy's costs fell by only 1 per cent
sales of regular savings bonds. : from 1997-1998 to 2002-2003.
"The $2.2 billion drop in sales : What was saved on media adfrom 1998-1999 to 1999-20OO : vertising was offset by higher
has not been recovered," Cap ; commissions and bonuses paid
the not
salessueforce.\l in meeting its targets, ;
Gemini said.
\t to
was
Second damning argument:
Savings bonds sold through emdemonstrating an inability to ; ployers are used as savings acpredict the sales. The targets ; counts. This means high transwere lowered from 2000 on- : action costs, as investors reward, indicating that the pro- : deem often and in small
gram is no longer aiming to : amounts. Sales and redempgrow or even retain the stock." i tions were equal in 2003, canWhy are sales falling? You can : celling out the value of this disname a tew reasons without^ tribution channel.
having to think too hard:
(V\r) Third damning argument:
/y Lower interest rates. Recent^ There's little accountability to
I savings Txmds yielded 1.25 per ; taxpayers. The agency's operacent in the first year, while the : tions were not reviewed after
premium bonds yielded 2 per i five years, as dictated by its charcent in the first year less than : ter document And the chief exwhat you could earn with a pre- : ecutive has kept her job for eight
mium savings account
: years, despite declining sales /
J
* Aggressive competition from : and market share.
banks. They~currently pay 3.25 ; I asked Goodale's office about
per cent on a five-year guaran- : the review of the retail debt proteed investment certificate, ; gram. It hasn't started yet, I was
compared with 2.79 per cent on \n told
escalating-rate
yesterday, despite
premium
the fact:
the report has been in hand
bond held for five years. And : since the beginning of the year.
bank customers can get a bonus : Exactly how much money is
of a quarter to half a per cent : being lost on the marketing of
above the posted GIC rate if : Canada Savings Bonds? Even
they haggle.
: Cap Gemini couldn't figure that
\^r More choices for investors, ; one out.
who are buying Government of ; 'The business plans and finanCanada bonds through mutual cial statements do not provide
withprovide
sufficient infunds or directly from invest- \t stakeholders
dealers. These
formation to understand the
higher returns, though prices ! objectives, performance or
fluctuate.
: overall subsidy provided by govWhen former finance minister : ernment," the report concluded.
and now Prime Minister Paul : Read it and weep.
Martin set up the agency, the :
federal debt was high and rising :
and interest rates had moved |
sharply higher.
;
Today, with seven budget sur- ;
pluses in a row, the government ;
has less need to sustain a broad 1
investor base.

"There is an insurance value in :

Summary Reports

2. There are three reasons why sales of Canada Savings Bonds are falling:
lower interest rates, aggressive competition from banks, and more choices
for investors.
3. The Canada Savings Bonds program is costly because marketing is expensive, the transaction costs are high, and there's little accountability to taxpayers.
Write a first draft. In this step, you take your list from the step before (which
uses the original author's exact language in many parts) and convert it into
your own words. Our summary writer might write something like this:
As requested, I've researched current opinion on the value of Canada Savings Bonds.
The most useful article I found was by Ellen Roseman of the Toronto Star. In her article,
"Report queries value of Canada Savings Bonds" (Sept. 15, 2004), Roseman makes one
main point and supports her point with two types of evidence.

Roseman's main point is that the CSB program is too expensive, does not pay for
itself, and should be eliminated. She bases her argument on an analysis of a report
published by the consulting firm Cap Gemini Ernst & Young on January 31, which is
now available on the Ministry of Finance's Web site.

The first argument Roseman uses to support her main point is that sales of CSBs
have been falling steadily. This decline in sales is due to low interest rates, strong
competition from the banking sector, and a wide choice of competing products for
consumers.

The second argument Roseman makes to support her main point is that costs are up
at the same time as sales are down. She attributes these costs to three main factors:
the high cost of marketing the bonds, the high cost of transactions, and a lack of
accountability on the part of the people who run the program and whose expenses
appear to be out of control.

I appreciated the opportunity to provide this summary. If there's anything else you need,
please let me know.
Sincerely,
Brent Bingley

Proofread and revise. The final step of writing a summary, like any written
document, is to proofread for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style mistakes and to rewrite where necessary. In the example above, the summary
writer found a number of mistakes in his draft. He judged the phrase the topic
of current opinion on to be wordy and rewrote it as current opinion on. He likewise found the word called to be wordy and deleted it. There are three instances
where he should have written a number as a word instead of in numerical
format. He also found a parallelism problem and changed it should to should.
The phrase ministry of finance was spelled incorrectly, without capitals. Finally,
two subject-verb agreement errors resulted in a change in verb tense to have
from has and from is to are.
A final proofread and revised version of this descriptive summary report
appears in Figure 9.9.

Minutes of Meetings
Quick Check
of old business, new business,
owouncements, and reports as well
as the precise wording of motions.

Minutes provide a summary of the proceedings of meetings. Formal, traditional

minutes, illustrated in Figure 9.10 (p. 240), are written for large groups and legislative bodies. If you are the secretary of a meeting, you'll want to write minutes
that do the following:
Provide the name of the group, as well as the date, time, and place of the meeting.
Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

FIGURE 9.9

Summary ReportE-Mail Format

CSB Summary You Requested

Ete

|dit

VNew

Insert

iEeply ! ^JReplytoAp

From:

Format

Tools

Actions fctelp

^Forward | ^ - I -j ! T J

Brent Bingley <bingleb@brnc.ca>

X j - - - A*ljJ|

Sent: May 9, 2007

To:
John Swiderski <swidersj@bmc.ca>
Cc:
Subject: CSB Summary You Requested
As requested, I've researched current opinion on the value of Canada Savings Bonds.
The most useful article I found was by Ellen Roseman of the Toronto Star. In her article,
"Report queries value of Canada Savings Bonds" (Sept. 15, 2004), Roseman makes one
main point and supports her point with two types of evidence.

Roseman's main point is that the CSB program is too expensive, does not pay for
itself, and should be eliminated. She bases her argument on an analysis of a report
published by the consulting firm Cap Gemini Ernst & Young on January 31, which is
now available on the Ministry of Finance's Web site.

The first argument Roseman uses to support her main point is that sales of CSBs
have been falling steadily. This decline in sales is due to low interest rates, strong
competition from the banking sector, and a wide choice of competing products for
consumers.

The second argument Roseman makes to support her main point is that costs are up
at the same time as sales are down. She attributes these costs to three main factors:
the high cost of marketing the bonds, the high cost of transactions, and a lack of
accountability on the part of the people who run the program and whose expenses
appear to be out of control.

I appreciated the opportunity to provide this summary. If there's anything else you need,
please let me know.
Sincerely,
Brent

Identify the names of attendees and absentees, if appropriate.

Describe the disposition of previous minutes.
Record old business, new business, announcements, and reports.
Include the precise wording of motions; record the vote and action taken.
Conclude with the name and signature of the person recording the minutes.

Notice in Figure 9.10 that secretary Carol Allen tries to summarize discussions
rather than capture every comment. However, when a motion is made, she
records it verbatim. She also shows in parentheses the name of the individual
making the motion and the person who seconded it. By using all capital letters for
"MOTION" and "PASSED," she makes these important items stand out for easy
reference.
Informal minutes are usually shorter and easier to read than formal minutes.
They may be formatted with three categories: summaries of topics discussed,
decisions reached, and action items (showing the action item, the person responsible, and the due date).
NEL

Minutes of Meetings

FIGURE 9.1O Minutes of MeetingReport Format

International Association of Administrative Professionals

Western Canada Division
Planning Committee Meeting
Conference Room B, Brunswick Plaza Hotel
November 4, 2007,10 am.

Shows attendees
and absentees

Present: Carol Allen, Ktm Jobe, LeeAnn Johnson, Barbara Leonard, Lee Schultz,
Doris Williamson, Margaret Zappa
Absent: Ellen Williams
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kim Jobe at 10:05 a.m. Minutes from the July 11 meeting were read and approved.
Old Business

Summarizes
discussion; does
not record every
word

LeeAnn Johnson and Barbara Leonard reviewed the information distributed at the
last meeting about hotels being considered for the Banff conference. LeeAnn said
that the Fairmont Banff Springs has ample conference rooms and remodelled
interiors. Barbara reported that the Mount Hoyal Hotel also has excellent banquet
- facilities, adequate meeting facilities, and rooms at $118 per night.
MOTION: To recommend that IAAP hold its International Convention at the
Mount Royal Hotel, July 21-34, 2008. (Allen/Leonard). PASSED 6-1.
Reports
Lee Schultz reported on convention exhibits and her desire to involve more
companies and products. Discussion followed regarding how this might be
accomplished.
MOTION: That IAAP office staff develop a list of possible convention exhibitors. The *~~
list should be submitted at the next meeting. (Leonard/Sehultz). PASSED 7-0.
New Business

Summarizes new
business and
announcements

Describes
disposition
of previous
minutes

The chair announced three possible themes for the convention, all of which focused
on technology and the changing role of administrative assistants. Doris Williamson
" suggested the following possible title: "Vision Without Boundaries." Carol Allen
suggested a communication theme. Several other possibilities were discussed. The
chair appointed a subcommittee of Doris and Margaret to bring to the next
committee meeting two or three concrete theme ideas.

Highlights
motions,
showing name
of person
making motion
and person
seconding it

Margaret Zappa thought that IAAP should be doing more to help members stay
ahead in the changing workplace. She suggested workshops to polish skills in
spreadsheet, database, presentations, and scheduling software.
MOTION: To recommend to IAAP that it investigate offering fee-based technology
workshops at the national and regional conventions. (Zappa/Schultz). PASSED 5-2.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 by Kim Jobe.
Respectfully submitted,

Carol Allen, Secretary

Shows name
and signature
of person
recording
minutes

Summing Up and Looking Forward

This chapter presented six types of informal business reports: information reports,
progress reports, justification/recommendation reports, feasibility reports, summaries, and minutes of meetings. Information reports generally provide data
only. But justification/recommendation reports as well as feasibility reports and
sometimes summary reports are more analytical in that they also evaluate the
information, draw conclusions, and make recommendations. This chapter also
discussed four formats for reports. Letter format is used for reports sent outside
an organization; memo format is used for internal reports. More formal reports
are formatted on plain paper with a manuscript design, while routine reports may
Chapter 9 Informal Reports

NEL

be formatted on prepared forms. The chapter presented numerous model documents illustrating the many kinds of reports and their formats. Readers were also
given tips for designing reports with desktop publishing programs to enhance
their appearance.
All of the examples in this chapter are considered relatively informal. Longer,
more formal reports are necessary for major investigations and research. These
reports and proposals, along with suggestions for research methods, are presented in Chapter 10.

Critical Thinking
1. How do business reports differ from business letters?
2. Of the reports presented in this chapter, classify those that require indirect
development versus those that require direct development.
3. How are the reports that you write for your courses similar to those presented here? How are they different?
4. Compare and contrast justification/recommendation and feasibility reports.

Chapter fieview
5. List six kinds of informal reports. Be prepared to describe each.

6. List four formats suitable for reports. Be prepared to discuss each.

7. From the lists you made in Questions 5 and 6, select a report category and
appropriate format for each of the following situations.
a. Your supervisor asks you to read a long technical report and write a
report that condenses the important points.

NEL

b.

You want to tell management about an idea you have for improving a
procedure that you think will increase productivity.

c.

You just attended a meeting at which you were the only person taking
notes. The person who ran the meeting sends you an e-mail asking if
you could remind him of the important decisions that were made.

d.

As Engineering Department office manager, you have been asked to

describe your highly regarded computer system for another
department.

e.

As a police officer, you are writing a report of an arrest.

f.

At a mail-order catalogue company, your boss asks you to investigate

ways to reduce the time that customers are kept waiting for service
representatives to take their telephone orders. She wants your report
to examine the problem and offer solutions.
Chapter Review

8. If you were about to write the following reports, where would you gather
information? Be prepared to discuss the specifics of each choice.
a. You are a student representative on a curriculum committee. You are
asked to study the course requirements in your major and make recommendations.
b.

As department manager, you must write job descriptions for several

new positions you wish to establish in your department.

c.

You are proposing to management the replacement of a copier in your

department.

d.

You must document the progress of a 12-month advertising campaign

to alter the image of a clothing manufacturer's jeans.

9. What three questions do progress reports typically address?

10. What is the purpose of a meeting minutes report?

11. Information reports generally contain what three parts?

12. An article summary that your employer asks you to write should include
what items?

13. What is the main difference between a descriptive summary and an evaluative summary?