The document discusses writing an effective executive summary. An executive summary is not merely an abstract but a persuasive sales pitch that convinces the reader the proposed solution provides the best value. It focuses on substantiating benefits for the customer rather than technical details. The purpose is to provide an overview of essential information for people who don't have time to read the full report. An executive summary should briefly outline the subject matter, background problem, scope, conclusions, and recommendations in as few words as possible.

1. Writing the
executive
summary

2. Definition
 Not a product presentation
 A persuasive sales pitch
 Far more than an abstract which merely
presents the rest of the document
(proposal).
 A unique opportunity to convince the
reader that your solution provides the best
value and benefit.

3. Definition
 The more technical your proposal, the
more important the executive summary is
likely to be. Unlike the abstract, the
executive summary steers clear of
technicalities to instead concentrate on
substantiating the benefits for the
customer.

4. Purpose
 Overview of the report’s essential
information
 Designed to be read by people who will
not have time to read the whole report or
are deciding if this is necessary.
 Say as much as possible in the fewest
words possible.

5. Briefly outline
 The subject matter
 The background problem
 The scope
 The conclusion and recommendations
 Not just an outline of the points to be
covered in the report with no detail of the
analysis that has taken place or
conclusions that have been reached.

6. Final form
 Usually stands as an overview at the front of
the report but it is also designed to be read
alone without the accompanying report (this
would often occur in the workplace)
 It should be self sufficient and understood in
isolation.
 Usually written last so that it accurately
reflects the content of the report and is
usually not more than a page.