TMT, BUS 251Chapter Planning Reports and Proposals

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Effective Reports and Proposals Content and Layout Length and Complexity Frequency Audience Informational Reports Informational Reports Proposals Analytical Reports Analytical Reports

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Three-Step Process Analyze Situation Gather Information Select Medium Get Organized Revise Produce Proofread Distribute Adapt to the Audience Compose the Message PlanningCompletingWriting

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Planning Informational Reports – Four General Categories Monitor and Control Operations Demonstrate Compliance Implement Policies and Procedures Document Progress

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Products or Services Market and Competition Management Marketing Strategy Summary Mission and Objectives Company and Industry Creating Business Plans

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Risks and Problems Financial Projections Financial Requirements Exit Strategy Design and Development Operations Plan Overall Schedule Creating Business Plans

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Planning Analytical Reports – Three General Categories Assess Opportunities Solve Problems Support Decisions Market Analysis Due Diligence Troubleshooting Failure Analysis Feasibility Justification

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Challenges of Analytical Reports PersuasionPersuasion ResponsibilityResponsibility InvestigationInvestigation

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Methods of Organization Focus on Conclusions Focus on Recommendations Focus on Logical Arguments IndirectDirect Audience AttitudeReceptiveSkeptical Preferred Strategy

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Focus on Conclusions AdvantagesDisadvantages Easy to Use Bottom-Line Driven Possible Resistance Oversimplification

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Focus on Recommendations 1.Establish the need for action 2.Introduce the overall benefits 3.List the required steps 4.Explain each step more fully 5.Summarize the recommendations

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Focus on Logical Arguments Hostile Readers Skeptical Readers Indirect Approach Rational Approach = 4 Approach = 4 Approach Yardstick Approach Yardstick Approach

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Types of Proposals SolicitedUnsolicited Requested (RFP) Audience Initiated Not Requested Writer Initiated

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Organizing Proposals SolicitedUnsolicited Expected Direct Approach Unexpected Indirect Approach

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Writing Reports and Proposals

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Composing Reports and Proposals IntroductionBodyConclusion Report Context Subject/Purpose Main Ideas Overall Tone Presentation Analysis Interpretation Support Main Points Benefits Structure Action Items

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Drafting Report Content Balanced Clear and Logical Clear and Logical Documented Properly Documented Properly Accurate Complete

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Report Introduction Authorization Scope of Coverage Sources and Methods Limitations Opportunity or Purpose Background Terms and Definitions Report Organization

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Report Body Explanations of problem or opportunity Facts, statistics, and trends Results of studies or investigations Discussion and analysis of potential actions Advantages, disadvantages, costs, and benefits

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Report Body Procedures or steps in a process Methods and approaches Criteria for evaluating options Conclusions and recommendations Support for conclusions and recommendations

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Report Closing Summary Conclusions Recommendations Action Plans

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Content of Proposals IntroductionIntroduction BodyBody ClosingClosing AttentionInterest DesireAction SolicitedProposalUnsolicitedProposal

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Demonstrate Your Knowledge Demonstrate Research the Competition Research Relate to Your Audience’s Needs Relate to Your Audience’s Needs Provide Concrete Examples Provide Offer a Workable Proposal Offer a Workable Proposal Present an Attractive Package Present an Attractive Package Strategies for Success

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Proposal Introduction BackgroundBackground ScopeScope SolutionSolution OrganizationOrganization

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Proposal Body SolutionSolution QualificationsQualifications Work Plan Detailed Cost

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Proposal Closing Key Points QualificationsQualifications BenefitsBenefits CommitmentCommitment

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Guiding the Readers Previews and Reviews Transitional Devices Headings and Links Readability Frameworks Relationships Words Sentences Paragraphs Introductions Summaries Overviews

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Completing Reports and Proposals

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Components of Reports Length of Report Type of Company Prefatory Parts Text of the Report Supplementary Parts Needs of Audience Type of Report

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Cover List of Illustrations List of Illustrations Authorization or Acceptance Authorization or Acceptance Title Page Executive Summary Executive Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Title Fly Synopsis or Abstract Synopsis or Abstract Transmittal Document Transmittal Document The Prefatory Parts

TMT, BUS 251Chapter The Text of the Report IntroductionIntroduction BodyBody ClosingClosing

TMT, BUS 251Chapter Supplementary Parts AppendixesAppendixes BibliographyBibliography IndexIndex