A Reports Purpose

Reports exist to relay information, assessments, and recommendations. These texts are
logical and organized in nature. Thus, the process to developing a report is smoothest
when following a logical pattern.
Problem Solving Model
1. Identify the problem or opportunity. Is something not working right or is
there an opportunity to decrease cost or improve a product or service? A clear
statement will allow you to plan your research.
2. Establish Criteria to Respond to the Problem or Opportunity. Criterion is
the set of standards you will consider when measuring your options. You need to
establish criteria to find out what your options are. What are the necessary
decisive factors that influence your recommendation? Cost? Time? What are
your desirable decisive factors that you will influence your recommendation?
Comparing and contrasting desirable criteria will help determine which option is
more or less attractive.
3. Determine the Options. Knowing the options open to you, will allow you to plan a
course of action. Simple options would be a comparison between two objects or
opportunities. More complicated options could involve several factors in which the
options need to be weighed until you reach a decision. Using a visual aide such as logic
boxes can be a helpful tool to align your ideas.

4. Evaluate Each Option According to Criteria. Study each option by

conducting primary and secondary research to evaluate each criterion. Be
objective in the analysis of the options. Creating a table or spreadsheet
(decision matrix) can help you evaluate the importance of each criterion, and
helps the reader understand your logic and deciding factors that led to your
results. Include an explanation aside from the decision matrix as to why you

chose to include or not include criterion, why you allocate weight to each
criterion, and why the criterion is rated.
5. Describe Conclusions About Each Option. Interpret results of
study and include evaluations about the options. Communicate your
conclusions based on your audiences preference. There are three ways
to present your conclusions:

Ranking system: most ideal to less ideal

Classification system: ideal and not ideal
Compound Conclusion: capabilities versus value etc.

6. Formulate Recommendations. Use the conclusions from your research to

write your recommendation of the course of action that is needed to respond
to the problem or opportunity. There may be audience expectations in regards
to your conclusion, but be honest and you can defend your findings using the
results of your study.