Executive Summary Sheet Layout

The executive summary is the most important part of the report. It should effectively summarize the purpose of the report, highlight its key points, and describe any results, conclusions or recommendations from it. Any decision maker who reads only this section should be left with a strong understanding of what the document contains and why it matters.

How do I write an executive summary?

Write your executive summary in a clear, concise, and persuasive fashion:

• Check to see if there are any formatting guidelines to follow. Otherwise, structure your abstract for easy browsing. Instead of using long blocks of text, use bullet points to break down complex information, use headings/subheadings to organize topics, and even use images to improve the reader's understanding of the abstract.
• At the beginning of your summary, start by explaining why this file (and the project it represents) is important. Take some time to outline the problem, including any research or customer feedback you receive. Articulate the importance and relevance of this issue to your customers and the importance of addressing it.
• So think about the type of information your audience wants to know in the minutes allocated to your abstract. Also, sometimes you need to follow specific formatting guidelines, so be sure to review all length and overall formatting instructions.

What makes an effective executive summary?

Make sure your executive summary focuses only on the positive aspects of your research and business plan. Leave any discussion of risks, obstacles, or challenges for the body section of your plan. Keeping a positive tone and using upbeat language in your summary will make it more persuasive.

Download this sample executive summary layout template for free from our website. Make some changes to the document available in Microsoft Word format. If you like this letter, please give us a big thumbs up. Your valuable feedback matters a lot to us—Head towards our website for some useful content.