Short analytical report example

Analytical Report Group Assignment Guide

Assignment Background An analytical report is a technical document written for business or government uses. These reports use information from surveys, financial records, and other reliable sources. It is different from an informational report because it analyzes a situation and persuasively presents conclusions and recommendations. This type of report is covered in the chapters “Planning…” + “Writing and Completing Reports…” in Bovée and Thill’s Business Communication Today. Sample student reports are available on Canvas, but please do not choose the same topics, or copy the exact organization – reports should vary slightly depending on the topic.

Types of Analytical Reports An analytical report can accomplish different goals. Once you have chosen a context and topic for the report, you need to establish the type of goal or purpose. Below are three main types -- your analytical report should focus on one type of goal:

To Assess an Opportunity • informs decision makers about a new and potentially successful endeavor • Example context/topic: to analyze the potential of offering a gluten-free version of “X”

brand’s most popular cookie. In the report, you would include relevant data on market trends and brand comparisons to conclude whether a gluten-free product should be developed and marketed by “X” brand.

To Solve a Problem • analyzes and attempts to solve a problem • Example context/topic: to analyze the potential solution to “X” business’s decline in sales

by suggesting a new customer service strategy. The analysis would provide relevant data and supporting details for the strategy.

To Support Decisions • analyzes the effects (both positive and negative) a recent decision “X” business will

make or has made -- if the report is done retrospectively – as in, the change has already been made – then you use the available data to analyze the effects

Past Analytical Report Student Topics:

• To analyze the benefits of adopting a new dress code at X company (assess an opportunity)

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• To introduce a different system of scheduling employee shifts to increase productivity at X eatery (solve a problem)

• To justify the new vacation policy at X office (support a decision)

Considerations when choosing your topic:

• Choose a context you are familiar with (i.e., a company you’ve worked for, a business you have stock in, an organization you either follow actively, or are a part of).

• Choose a realistic topic – don’t attempt to make something up that is either unrelatable, or too extreme (although the topic can be hypothetical).

• Identify a specific audience for the report, whether it's to the CEO of a company, a manager, or an entire board of directors.

• You will be writing as a group of consultants or analysts (hypothetical), but you need to define who your audience is. Do not write the report as an academic paper for a general audience (like an essay or research paper).

• Focus on a specific issue directed towards a specific audience – for example:

Instead of a report on the growing popularity of digital wallet apps, create a report analyzing the top complaint(s) of Venmo users, with suggestions on how to improve the service for a real audience:

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/venmo/current_employees/current_employees_image_list#sec tion-current-team

Overview of report

• Initial Work Plan (approx. 500 words – your work plan will be due as a separate assignment first) + final report (approx. 2000+ words) – see sample on Canvas + on page 193 in the custom text of Bovée and Thill (Chapter: Planning Reports and Proposals)

• Minimum of 6 references that are a balance of academic/professional sources found through the library databases, as well as reliable, consumer publications such as Business Week, Forbes, etc. (These will be cited using APA style – in-text citations + reference section.)

• At least one relevant, effective visual (e.g. graph, image, chart, etc.) included where necessary

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Analytical Report Work Plan (due first -- approx. 500 words)

A work plan is a document (and tool) to define and guide larger writing projects. It is basically an outline. A work plan will be due before the first draft of your report. See the sample work plan in the chapter “Planning Reports and Proposals” (p. 193 in the custom text).