Informal reports are usually shorter in length than formal reports and have a more casual style. They can be either informational reports, which provide background without making evaluations, or analytical reports, which also include evaluations or recommendations. Common types of informal reports include meeting minutes, expense reports, status updates, trip or conference reports, and smaller proposals or feasibility reports. Informal reports are typically used for internal communication within an organization.

1. KINDS & EXAMPLE OF INFORMAL REPORT

2.  Informal Reports – are usually short messages with free-flowing,
casual use of language. In the business setting, it is usually shorter in
length and have fewer sections than a formal report. Employees in most
organizations create and use informal reports. Almost all informal
reports are for internal use. Some institutions have prescribed formats
and others do not in the business setting are usually shorter in length
and have fewer sections than a formalreport.
 Informal report fits in one of two largecategories:
1. Informational Report – provides background and information without
reaching an evaluation. These include simple reports like meeting
minutes, expense reports, and progress, or status updates.
2. Analytical Report – provides much the same information as the
informational report along with evaluation or recommendation. These
reports may include feasibility studies, justification reports, and
proposals.
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Informal Reports

3. The following are typical kinds of informal reports. Keep in mind that
there may be some overlap with formal reports (i.e., some report types
can be informal or formal).
 Meeting minutes - are a type of informal report that summarizes the
discussion and results from a meeting. These reports are informational.
They are summaries, not a direct collection of all statements from all
attendees.
 Expense reports - are informal reports that nearly always have a
prescribed format. These reports consist primarily of amount of
expenditures by type of expense. There is little to no free writing.
 Status updates - may be internal to a company in addressing a
business situation, or they may be external in providing the status of a
project to another organization. These reports are short and tightly
focused to the purpose. They are informational reports.
3
Kinds of Informal Reports

4.  Trip or conference reports - are used to summarize and transmit
learning from a trip or conference. They are informational, and they
increase the value of the trip or conference as they share what was
learned with others.
 Proposals or feasibility reports - for smaller or simpler projects can
also be considered informal reports. These are analytical, as they
provide analysis and propose a direction totake.
 Justifications or recommendation reports – are similar to information
reports except they offer analysis in addition to data.
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Kinds of Informal Reports

5. Reference
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https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-
businesscommunicationmgrs/chapter/informal-reports/