Standard Report Structure
| Section | Purpose |
|---|
| Executive Summary | Standalone: problem, method, key findings, recommendations — 1-2 pages |
| Introduction | Background, scope, objectives, methodology |
| Findings | Organized by theme or chronology — data + interpretation |
| Analysis | What the findings mean — patterns, causes, implications |
| Recommendations | Actionable, prioritized, assigned to owners with timeline |
Data Presentation
| Data Type | Best Visualization |
|---|
| Trends over time | Line chart |
| Comparisons | Bar chart, sorted descending |
| Parts of a whole | Pie chart (≤5 slices) or stacked bar |
| Correlations | Scatter plot with trend line |
Writing Tips
| Tip | Why |
|---|
| Use headings and subheadings | Skimmable hierarchy — readers jump to relevant sections |
| Number your findings | "Finding 1:" "Finding 2:" — easy to reference in discussion |
| Recommendations in priority order | If they only implement #1, was it worth doing? |
Pro Tip: Structure your report for skimmers. 80% of readers will only read the executive summary and recommendations. Make those sections standalone — they should tell the full story.