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What are the essential stages to write report?

-Understanding the report brief -Gathering and selecting information -Organizing your material -Analyzing your material -Writing the report -Reviewing and redrafting -Presentation

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Question added by Nadia Ahmed Mohammed Saeed , T/L. Credi t& Risk , Canar Telecommunication Co. LTD.
Date Posted: 2013/10/01
abdul latif mohamed sorour Abdul latif
by abdul latif mohamed sorour Abdul latif , Senior Food Trade Hygiene Officer , Dubai Municepality

Stage One: Understanding the report brief. I think 

after that collection the data

 

Abdelkrim TRABELSI
by Abdelkrim TRABELSI , Ingénieur Projet , Zodiac

collection of input data

Data Analysis

General Introduction

Detailed report

Summary report

presentation

Ammar Mubarak Mustafa Makkawi
by Ammar Mubarak Mustafa Makkawi , KUKU DAIRY AGRICULTURAL SCHEME GENERAL MANAGER , Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Wealth and Irrigation

7 Tips For Writing Better Business Reports

 

  • Confirm Exactly What the Client WantsThis is a very important initial step. Whether the client is you, or someone else, be sure that everyone is talking about the same thing in terms of final outcome and expectations. When determining this, always think specifically in terms of the final deliverable (usually the final report). What issues must it address? What direction/guidance is it expected to give? What exactly will it contain? What bottom line are they looking for?

     

  • Determine What Type of Report Is RequiredThis is another very important initial matter to clarify. There are a number of different types of business reports. Although there is usually overlap between the different types, there are also important differences. For example, do they want: a business plan, a business proposal, a strategic plan, a corporate information management plan, a strategic business plan, a marketing plan, a financial plan, or what? Know exactly what type of final report is expected from the outset.

     

  • Conduct the Initial ResearchOnce you know exactly what the client (or you) wants, and the specific type of report they are looking for, you are ready to conduct your initial pre-report research. This stage may be as simple as collecting and reading a few background documents supplied by the client, or it could involve developing questionnaires and conducting detailed interviews with the appropriate people. It will vary with each situation. The Internet of course, can really simplify and shorten the research process, but don't forget to double and triple check your sources.

     

  • Write the Table of Contents FirstIn my experience, drafting the Table of Contents (TOC), before you start writing the actual report is the single most important key to developing a successful business report. This document can normally be done before, or in parallel with, the first phase of project information gathering. This should be more than just a rough draft TOC. It should be a carefully thought out breakdown of exactly what you imagine the TOC will look like in the final report. Although this takes a certain amount of time and brain power up-front, it really streamlines the rest of the process. What I do is to actually visualize the final report in my mind's eye and write the contents down. This really works! This TOC then becomes a step-by-step template for the rest of the process.

     

    Sidebar:If you're writing the report for an external client, it's a good idea to present the draft Table of Contents to them at this point in the process and get their approval. This will force them to think it through and confirm what they really want at this point. Once they have agreed to a TOC you will have their "buy-in" for the rest of the process, therefore significantly reducing chances of any major changes or reversals at the final report phase.

  • Do Any Additional ResearchAfter thinking through the TOC in detail, you will know if any additional research is required. If yes, do this extra information gathering before you sit down and start to actually write the report. That way, once you begin the writing process you will have all of the information needed at hand and you will not have to interrupt the writing process to conduct any further research.

     

  • Create the Skeleton DocumentA trick I always use when working with MS-Word is to create a skeleton document first. That is, before you actually write any of the text, enter the entire Table of Contents that you have already developed into MS-Word (see Point4), heading by heading, including sub-headings. At this point, the document is essentially a sequential series of headings and sub-headings with blank space between them. Then, have MS-Word generate an automatic Table of Contents that exactly matches your planned TOC. You're then ready to start filling in the blank spaces after each heading and sub-heading in the body of the document, with text.

     

  • Write the Report By Filling In The BlanksThat's right, by filling in the blanks. Once the TOC skeleton framework is in-place as per the previous step, writing the actual report becomes almost like filling in the blanks. Just start at the beginning and work your way sequentially through the headings and sub-headings, one at a time, until you get to the end. Really. At that point, with all of the preparation done, it should be a relatively straightforward process.

Sayyed Azharhusain Amjadhusain Sayyed
by Sayyed Azharhusain Amjadhusain Sayyed , Senior Quality Assurance Specialist , AL AIN FARMS FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

ll reports need to be clear, concise and well structured. The key to writing an effective report is to allocate time for planning and preparation. With careful planning, the writing of a report will be made much easier. The essential stages of successful report writing are described below. Consider how long each stage is likely to take and divide the time before the deadline between the different stages. Be sure to leave time for final proof reading and checking.

Stage One: Understanding the report brief

This first stage is the most important. You need to be confident that you understand the purpose of your report as described in your report brief or instructions. Consider who the report is for and why it is being written. Check that you understand all the instructions or requirements, and ask your tutor if anything is unclear.

Stage Two: Gathering and selecting information

Once you are clear about the purpose of your report, you need to begin to gather relevant information. Your information may come from a variety of sources, but how much information you will need will depend on how much detail is required in the report. You may want to begin by reading relevant literature to widen your understanding of the topic or issue before you go on to look at other forms of information such as questionnaires, surveys etc. As you read and gather information you need to assess its relevance to your report and select accordingly. Keep referring to your report brief to help you decide what is relevant information.

Stage Three: Organising your material

Once you have gathered information you need to decide what will be included and in what sequence it should be presented. Begin by grouping together points that are related. These may form sections or chapters. Remember to keep referring to the report brief and be prepared to cut any information that is not directly relevant to the report. Choose an order for your material that is logical and easy to follow.

Stage Four: Analysing your material

Before you begin to write your first draft of the report, take time to consider and make notes on the points you will make using the facts and evidence you have gathered. What conclusions can be drawn from the material? What are the limitations or flaws in the evidence? Do certain pieces of evidence conflict with one another? It is not enough to simply present the information you have gathered; you must relate it to the problem or issue described in the report brief.

Stage Five: Writing the report

Having organised your material into appropriate sections and headings you can begin to write the first draft of your report. You may find it easier to write the summary and contents page at the end when you know exactly what will be included. Aim for a writing style that is direct and precise. Avoid waffle and make your points clearly and concisely. Chapters, sections and even individual paragraphs should be written with a clear structure. The structure described below can be adapted and applied to chapters, sections and even paragraphs.

  • Introduce the main idea of the chapter/section/paragraph
  • Explain and expand the idea, defining any key terms.
  • Present relevant evidence to support your point(s).
  • Comment on each piece of evidence showing how it relates to your point(s).
  • Conclude your chapter/section/paragraph by either showing itssignificance to the report as a whole or making a link to the next chapter/section/paragraph.

Stage Six: Reviewing and redrafting

Ideally, you should leave time to take a break before you review your first draft. Be prepared to rearrange or rewrite sections in the light of your review. Try to read the draft from the perspective of the reader. Is it easy to follow with a clear structure that makes sense? Are the points concisely but clearly explained and supported by relevant evidence? Writing on a word processor makes it easier to rewrite and rearrange sections or paragraphs in your first draft. If you write your first draft by hand, try writing each section on a separate piece of paper to make redrafting easier.

Stage Seven: Presentation

Once you are satisfied with the content and structure of your redrafted report, you can turn your attention to the presentation. Check that the wording of each chapter/section/subheading is clear and accurate. Check that you have adhered to the instructions in your report brief regarding format and presentation. Check for consistency in numbering of chapters, sections and appendices. Make sure that all your sources are acknowledged and correctly referenced. You will need to proof read your report for errors of spelling or grammar. If time allows, proof read more than once. Errors in presentation or expression create a poor impression and can make the report difficult to read.

Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah Awad
by Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah Awad , مدير المصنع-رئيس قسم المختبر ورقابة الجودة/ممثل الادارة للجودة(مدير تاكيد الجودة) , الشركة العالمية الحديثة لصناعة الزيوت النباتية.

satges for writing report

1-determine what do we must write in the report and to home we must write the report

2-collect the informations

3-select the usful infomationd to put it in the report

4-includ your sorces in the report

5- writting  adraft

6-audet the druft 

7- writing the final report

raafat Guirguis
by raafat Guirguis , General Foreman , Cairo Metro Line 3 ( Vinci construction Co

1 - Inventory of works performed daily, weekly and monthly compared to the time program

2- To limit the quantities of materials needed for the next phase and ask them to manage the next stage3 - The request of individuals to work in case of insufficient labor

ayesha nazir
by ayesha nazir , Expereince

as  i know the gathering the requirements, data analysis and dealings with the frames and the detailed of report and summary and then ur report presentation

يوسف كمال يوسف  بابكر
by يوسف كمال يوسف بابكر , محاسب عام , قمتي للتجارة والمقاولات

Determine the terms of reference. Define writing actions. Find the information. Determine the general structure of the report. Preparing the initial draft. Analyze the information found and prepare the conclusion. Make recommendations. Preparing the executive summary and table of contents. Compile a list of references.

Dave Paquette
by Dave Paquette , Project Control Office – Integrated Logistical Support - Technical Writing Consultant/Contractor , D.G.M.E.P.M - ADM(mat) – HCM FELEX/Project Control Office - Integrated Logistical Support

1  Confirm that there is a brief on the report requirements, verify the requirements of the type of report, 

2. If no brief verify the requirements and of the type of report, 

3. Collect required data and verify sources/revisionary data with subject matter experts or repositories.  

4. Create TOC/Document skeleton

5. Verify with stakeholders, management, executives that this is the type of report and requirements expected. 

6. Write the report and/or produce the report with approved information from step 5. 

7. If a SOP/TSG/UG then create user test documentation with the report. 

8. Verify details in the report and then finalize the revision of the report. 

9. Create Management overview document/executive summarization/document chain.  

10. Present the report or Notify stakeholders/executive/management of report & revision and/or deliver/upload the report to a repository for their access/downloading. 

 

Parvez Hassan
by Parvez Hassan , IT Incharge , Mahesh Edible Oil Industries Pvt. Ltd., Kota, Rajasthan-324007

The essential stages of successful report writing are described below. Consider how long each stage is likely to take and divide the time before the deadline between the different stages. Be sure to leave time for final proof reading and checking.Writing style that is direct and precise. Avoid waffle and make your points clearly and concisely. Chapters, sections and even individual paragraphs should be written with a clear structure. The structure described below can be adapted and applied to chapters, sections and even paragraphs.

  • Introduce the main idea of the chapter/section/paragraph
  • Explain and expand the idea, defining any key terms.
  • Present relevant evidence to support your point(s).
  • Comment on each piece of evidence showing how it relates to your point(s).
  • Conclude your chapter/section/paragraph by either showing itssignificance to the report as a whole or making a link to the next chapter/section/paragraph.

SUFAID P P
by SUFAID P P , ACCOUNTANT , BIN KHAMEES TRADING CO

1. Plan Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!), it is important to plan your approach to the assignment. 2.Write The introduction is one of the most important paragraphs. An effective introduction introduces the topic and purpose of the report or essay and outlines your approach, i.e. the main ideas that will be developed within it. After reading just the introduction, the reader should know (i) the purpose of the paper and (ii) the main ideas which will be covered within it. 3.Reference your source Refer to the Basics of Correct Referencing to find guidelines for citing and referencing all of the sources you use in your report or essay. 4.Review