CMN 279 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Eye Strain, Operation N, Bar Chart
Document Summary
Management decisions are often based on information submitted in the form of reports. Reports help understand and systematically study business challenges before we can outline the steps toward solving them. Informational reports present data without analysis or recommendations. Analytical reports provide data, analyses, and conclusions. They may intend to persuade readers or change their opinions. Direct pattern: if readers are informed, supportive of the findings or eager to have the results first, organize the report directly. Information and analytical reports can be in organized directly. Conclusions an recommendations appear right after the introduction (instead of at the end of the report). Indirect pattern: when the conclusions and recommendations, (if requested), appear at the end of the report, the organizational pattern is indirect. Indirect pattern works best for analytical reports that convey bad news or seek to persuade. Report format depends on length, topic, audience, and purpose. Letter format: best for short <8 pages, informal reports addressed outside an organization.