6-1 Writing a Business Report

In the business world, reports are useful tools which organizations use to evaluate strategies, understand problems, and plan for change. Students of business are required to practice professional skills, like report writing, so they are familiar with the form and function of this essential business communication tool.

A report is very different from an essay. An essay is organized around an argumentative thesis and supported by an analysis of relevant evidence. In contrast, a report is a detailed examination of current issues, such as organizational opportunities, departmental challenges, or industry trends, which often include recommendations for their readers, who are colleagues or clients. The analysis presented in a report is organized by categories and informed by observation, data, practice, and scholarly research.  Successful reports demonstrate your understanding of significant concepts and themes in your courses as well as your ability to interpret data in a clearly organized and articulated way.

There are usually five main sections to a business report: 

This section is sometimes referred to as the terms of reference, and gives background information on the reason for the report and introduces some of the relevant business theories. 

Establish context for your report by describing the business, explaining current organizational measures, or outlining market trends. Define important terminology or concepts that are useful to understanding the topic of the report. This information helps your reader to understand the importance (and value) of your message. Clearly discuss the relevance of your research by connecting it to current information about the organization or the issue. Be specific when you explain how theories and strategies can be applied or adapted.