chapter 4: preparing the analytical report

1. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 1 Chapter 4: Preparing the Analytical Report

2. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 2

3. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 3 Analytic Reports: Types and Uses Section Outline: Problem-Focused Analytic Report Organizational Analytic Report

4. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 4 Problem-Focused Analytic Report Types: Formal Structural A specific problem within an organization is focused on its processes and procedures or its organizational structure.

5. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 5 Problem-Focused Types Chronological The time line of events is used to analyze the development and evolution of a problem, identifying the root causes of the problem, and the conditions that led to it becoming a challenge to the organization.

6. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 6 Problem-Focused Types Critical Incident The focus is on a catastrophic or transforming event that resulted in a problem or on a challenge that had damaging consequences or had productive consequences.

7. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 7 Organizational Analytic Report Types: Internally Prepared An internal unit in the organization charged with analyzing and reporting on an activity within the organization or an opportunity outside the organization.

8. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 8 Organizational Analytic Report Types: Externally Prepared An external agent commissioned by officers of an organization to achieve an objective, balanced, and honest report.

9. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 9 Organizational Analytic Report Types: Joint External-Internal An external consultant utilizing internal resources to collect data and information. Typically, the external consultant undertakes the analysis and report preparation.

10. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 10 Strategies for Analytic Reports Key Concept 4.2: Each type of analytic report is structured by approaches defined by systems theory, human resources, decision methods, or strategic planning. Reports are prepared by external agents or by internal task forces.

11. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 11 Strategies for Analytic Reports Section Outline: Strategies for Analysis Internal Versus External Analytic Reports

12. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 12 Strategies for Analysis Types: Organization or Systems An approach that views the organization as a system of interacting processes and entities and relies on the analysis of all parts of the system, including processes, resources, people, subunits, and cultures to develop an analysis of how the system succeeds or fails.

13. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 13 Strategies for Analysis Types: Human Resource An approach that addresses the personnel required to complete a given task or to reach a particular goal. A job analysis of those involved in the area of interest is required.

14. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 14 Strategies for Analysis Types: Decision Systems An approach in which decision makers collect, interpret, and use information to make decisions to engage in a particular type of work, market, or service.

15. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 15 Strategies for Analysis Types: Strategic Planning An approach that is focused on the organization’s goals and objectives and the time frame established to achieve each objective. Tools to verify meeting goals and evidence of success in reaching objectives are used to analyze an organization from the strategic planning perspective.

16. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 16 Internal Versus External Analytic Reports External Reports: Provide Objectivity Provide Expertise Provide Additional Resources Meet formal report mandates Encourage reluctant participants

17. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 17 Organizing the Analytic Report Key Concept 4.3: Analytic reports follow consistent and predictable organizational formats. The commission that authorizes the report prescribes these elements.

18. Strategies for Managerial Writing 2006 Thomson South-Western Slide 18 Organizing the Analytic Report Section Outline: Identifying the Criteria for Analysis Establishing Report Protocols Collecting and Organizing Data Tools for Analysis