What Is an Executive Summary? An executive summary is a document providing a concise overview of a longer report, proposal, or event. It is used to give decision makers and potential investors a quick view of the key points, potential solutions, and project outcomes. It should serve to educate and convince others to support the project or business idea by summarizing and outlining its key points.
Steps For Writing an Executive Summary
When it comes to the writing of an executive summary, it is important to follow a few key steps. Crafting an effective executive summary is a critical step in the process of proposal or report writing, as it will set the stage for the reader, allowing them to properly digest the contents that come after. Below are 8 steps for writing a successful executive summary that will help to make sure it is both concise and complete.
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Identify the Report’s Audience
The first step in writing an effective executive summary is to identify the report’s audience. Ask yourself who the primary readers of the report are, what they need to know, and why they are reading the report in the first place. Identifying the audience first and understanding their needs will help structure the information in the summary and make it more relevant to them. -
Research the Topic
Once you have identified the audience, it’s time to research the topic. Do some research to get an understanding of the main components and arguments in the report, in terms of the results, conclusions, and recommendations. This research and understanding of the topic is necessary in order to write an effective summary. -
Decide on the Key Points
Once the research is complete, the next step is to decide on the key points that need to be included in the executive summary. These points should be the most important facts and ideas from the report, that should be highlighted in the summary. -
Write the Introduction
The introduction should set the stage for what is to come in the executive summary. It should be concise and present a brief overview of the topic. Introduce the purpose of the report and key points in the document. Be sure to include any terms or concepts that may need to be explained. -
Outline the Main Arguments
The executive summary should outline the main arguments that have been presented in the report, such as the data, findings, and conclusions. Define the arguments, explain the problem, solution and outcome. Make sure to keep the language clear and concise. -
List the Recommendations
The executive summary should include a list of the recommendations that have been included in the report. These are the proposed solutions and steps that should be taken in order to achieve the desired results. Make sure to be clear and concise when spelling out the recommendations. -
Summarize the Results
The results section should summarize the information presented in the report, such as the data and findings. Here, you should also provide a brief overview of the outcome that was achieved. -
Write the Conclusion
In the conclusion, you should summarize the major points that were discussed in the executive summary. Highlight the major conclusions and emphasize the importance of the findings and recommendations.
Crafting an effective executive summary is a critical step in the process of proposal or report writing. Following the 8 steps outlined above will help ensure that the executive summary is concise, complete, and relevant to the intended audience. By understanding the audience, researching the topic, outlining the key points, and summarizing the results, an executive summary can be an invaluable tool for convincing others to support a business idea.
