Executive Summary Writing Techniques And Best Examples

What is an Executive Summary Writing?

An executive summary outlines the key details of a bigger report. It is frequently written to be shared with people who may not have the opportunity to read the complete report. Executive summary informs the readers about the essential aspects of the report without making them read the entire report. The first thing a reader will read is your executive summary that provides an overview of a longer work or research. Executive summaries are frequently the only area decision-makers will examine in deciding whether to take any action on a specific idea or concept.  So, your executive summary should capture their attention and persuade them to read the contents in detail. It is essential to know about executive summary writing techniques. This article will outline the necessary guidelines with examples.

How to write a good executive summary?

Executive summaries differ across different levels of writing. You can write an executive summary for a marketing strategy, business proposal, research paper, or work plan. But there are some basic principles to follow while drafting an executive summary to ensure that you cover all the points.

1. Length and Word Count

The essential thing to remember in executive summary writing is to ensure that your executive summary has appropriate length. According to several publications on executive summaries, tutorials, workshops, and experts, the generally accepted length of an executive summary is roughly five to ten percent of the length of the entire report.

2. Language

The wording in executive summary writing should be suitable for its intended audience. Before embarking on executive summary writing, the most critical thing is to know who you are writing for. If you’re addressing a bunch of economists, your vocabulary will be very different than what you’d use if you were writing for the scientific community. It comprises the words and the contents, and the quality of explanation.

Remember, this is a synopsis, and people will read it quickly to extract the important elements. Also, it’s vital to avoid cliches when writing your executive summary. Cliches can irritate readers, and it’s something you must avoid. Furthermore, cliches tend to make false promises that are not achievable. Your executive summary should be accurate and precise.

3. Attention Grabbers

The first paragraph of an executive summary is the chance to grab your reader’s interest by writing compellingly. A solid introductory paragraph can attract readers’ attention and make them want to keep reading. It is like a speech that typically begins with a sarcastic remark or a quotation to lighten the mood and keep the listeners hooked.

4. Summarize Your Report/Research

The executive summary should not deviate from the rest of the contents of the report/research. It’s an overview, not an outlet for new concepts. If the executive summary is at variance with the contents of your report, it will be perplexing for the reader.

Determine the need and briefly provide the aims and objectives of your report/research to persuade the readers. Once that is in position, it is critical to suggest the solution and demonstrate its worth. Present a definitive and solid recommendation. You can get dissertation proposal help at this step.

5. Write it in the last.

An executive summary is a shortened version of a report, project plan or research. It is best practice to write it in the end since you will better understand your work and comprehend what to include.

How to write an executive summary for a project?

Executive writing summary also comprises writing for different projects, especially in the business sector. The following steps are fundamental in writing an executive summary for a project.

1. Stress on the Need of Your Project

Begin your executive summary by describing why your project is important. Spend some time outlining the problem, including any studies or customer reviews you’ve collected. Please explain why this problem is significant to your clients and why solving it is crucial. Assume you work for a car manufacturing company, for example. You aim to create a simpler, less expensive car that appeals to luxury purchasers while also addressing a new customer segment.

2. Provide a Solution

After defining the relevant problem of your project, explain your proposed solution. Contrary to an abstract, your solution should be straightforward. You should demonstrate to your readers that your solution is the best one. It’s okay if you don’t have all your goals and outcomes written initially. However, this is your opportunity to define what will occur during the project in broader terms. Consider generating a project plan before getting into your executive summary. It will help you create a strong summary of your project’s primary outputs and timeline.

This stage of executive summary writing for projects requires getting into the specifics. It entails specifying how the solution will significantly affect and improve the previously stated problem. It is the portion where you should add any important data, project difficulties, or anticipated advantages. You should also link your initiative to your company’s objectives or key performance indicators (KPIs). Identify whether this project relates to the goals of your company.

3. Wrap up your summary

After presenting all the critical information to the executive management, here is your opportunity to influence their awareness of the effect. You can stress the significance of your project and its positive impact on the organization.

How to write an executive summary for a research paper?

Executive summary writing for research papers encompasses helping your readers understand the research problem. You must present the proposed solutions and recommendations.

1. State your Research Problem

Good executive summaries begin with an introduction to your research: What is the focus of your investigation? What motivates you to do your research? What research questions did you think about? A solid first paragraph or two on the scope of your study and research problem can assist your readers in understanding the context of the research.

2. Elaborate the key findings of your research

Provide the key findings of your study. It is critical to keep this description as brief as possible to elaborate on your results in the main body. You can mention research methods briefly.

3. Recommendations

Provide the recommendations and link your recommendations with your results. This description will be brief, as you will discuss them in detail in the main body. By the end of the executive summary, your reader should comprehend what you recommend and what strengthens your recommendations.

4. Conclusion

A brief conclusion is the final component of your executive summary. The conclusion is a good place to engage with the readers: How will your study benefit the readers? How would your recommendation(s) help solve the problem you’re researching? Essentially, the conclusion is a way to establish a sense of urgency and relate to your reader’s interests.

What is a good example of an executive summary?

1. Stating the Problem

In recent customer review surveys, 40% of consumers indicated a desire for a sophisticated and far less expensive variant of our company. The survey indicates that more than 60% of customers are switching to other competitors in the market. It is due to the high prices of our products. To retain our present clients and expand market share, we need to create a line of smartphones that can be sold at a reasonable price point in the market.

2. Proposed Solution

Our new smartphone line will commence at a 20% less than our present cheapest deal, with the possibility for price reductions of 10% or more dependent on technology and functionality. We will introduce personalized choices, emphasizing choice and convenience over conventional phones.

3. Explain the Significance of the Solution

We anticipate increasing our reach into the regular smartphone market while sustaining our luxury brand with new options between 20% lower than our present cheapest deal. It will assist us in meeting FY22’s Objective 2: Brand Expansion. These new offers can generate up to two million dollars in earnings each year, which will assist us in meeting FY22’s Objective 1: 5 million dollars in yearly profit.

4. Wrap up your Executive Summary

Cheaper and more diverse offers will expand into new markets and positively extend our brand. With the revenue from these new options and the projected demand for lower-cost smartphones, we plan to expand our market share by 3% per year.

Conclusion

You won’t become an expert at writing executive summary suddenly, and that’s fine. Avoid some typical traps as you continue to polish your executive summary writing skills. Your executive summary should provide such information that everyone can read and comprehend. Remember that you are considerably more familiar with the day-to-day operations of your organization and subject-related terminologies than the common reader. So, check your executive summary again to ensure no excessive jargon. Explain the terminologies where possible or leave them out entirely. Your executive summary is a working document, so you can easily go back and correct it if you make a mistake. However, it is helpful to proofread your summary by submitting it to a colleague or a friend for a second opinion.