1. BUS 305
Introducing the analytical report

2. Agenda
• Business reports generally
• Types of business reports
• Analytical reports
• Analytical report project

3. Business Reports
• Not all TPS
• Play an important
function in group
learning and knowledge
sharing
• Businesses thrive on
reports

4. Types of Business Reports
• Informational reports (easiest!
Just info)
• Analytical reports (info +
feedback, recommendations)
• Proposals (info +
recommendations + persuasion)
• Good businesses solve problems
through the reporting process
• Can be informal or formal

5. Three step process for
writing a business report
• Plan
• Write
• Complete
• Which is most important? Why?
• Which requires the most effort? Why?

6. Planning the report
• Analyze the situation
• Define your purpose
• Gather information
• Analyze information
• Select the right distribution channel
or channels
• Organize your information
• Gather missing info/data
• Understand logistics (purpose, due
date, audience, etc.)

7. Problem statements
compared to purpose
statements
• Problem statements simply articulate a problem
• Purpose statements put them in context
• Important when executing analytical reports and
proposals

8. Write the report
• Adapt to the audience
• Compose the most effective message

9. Complete the report
• Revise for readability and effectiveness
• “Produce” the message with appropriate design and
graphics
• Proofread
• Distribute

10. BUS 305 Analytical
Report
• Worth 30% of grade
• Executed in groups/teams of 4
• Must be focused on a specific purpose
• Must solve a problem and provide solutions
• Should be informational, with recommendations and
persuasive
• Which part will be most difficult?

11. Steps and milestones
• Form a group
• Explore the problem; begin basic research
• Come up with a statement of purpose
• Outline the report
• Provide a list of information sources and why they will
help you meet your purpose
• Test your recommendations (online survey for example
and through additional research)
• Write the report
• Proofread
• Produce (add graphics)

12. Parts of the report
• Cover letter/memo introducing the report (1 page; 2 points)
• Executive summary that contains (1 page; 2 points):
• The purpose of the report/problem being analyzed
• Summary of conclusions
• Summary of recommendations
• The report itself (13 pages; 26 points total this section)
• Description of the problem/background (1 page; 2 points)
• Specific purpose of the study (1/2 page; 1 point)
• Methods used to gather data (primary and secondary) (1/2 page; 1
point)
• Analysis of the data including charts and graphs (5-6 pages; 10
points)
• Recommendations (3-4 pages; 8 points)
• Conclusion (1/2 page; 1 point)
• References and in-text citations (1 page; 3 points)
• Refer to your textbook for a sample of a report that includes all of these
things!

13. First Steps—Today!
• Form your team
• Come up with an idea of what you want to analyze
• Craft a statement of purpose
• List the team members and what each person’s role
will be
• Each of you should take a lead on one of the
following: Research; Writing; Editing/Proofing;
Production (graphics, citations, references, exhibits)