Executive Summary Development
Learn how to craft effective executive summaries that capture the essence of your reports and documents.
Concise and Comprehensive
An executive summary should be brief (typically 5-10% of the document length) yet cover all key points of the full document.
Stand-Alone Document
It should be able to stand on its own, allowing readers to understand the main points without reading the entire document.
Results-Oriented
Focus on outcomes, findings, recommendations, and conclusions rather than methodology.
Objective Tone
Use a formal, objective tone with precise language and avoid technical jargon when possible.
Written Last
Although it appears at the beginning of a document, the executive summary should be written after the full document is complete.
Purpose and Scope
Clearly state the purpose of the document and the scope of the project or research.
Key Findings
Highlight the most important findings or results from the document.
Recommendations
Present clear, actionable recommendations based on the findings.
Implications
Explain the significance of the findings and recommendations for the organization or stakeholders.