technical report writing dr. shelley thomas. overview selecting effective report topics using...

Technical Report WritingTechnical Report Writing

Dr. Shelley Thomas Dr. Shelley Thomas

OverviewOverview

• Selecting effective report topics• Using worksheets to plan projects• Developing and proposing project

plans• Developing effective report drafts• Revising drafts

• Selecting effective report topics• Using worksheets to plan projects• Developing and proposing project

plans• Developing effective report drafts• Revising drafts

3-Parts of Report Writing 3-Parts of Report Writing • Part 1: Proposal• plan and propose project to instructor

• Part 2: First draft of report• conduct research and interpret findings• develop and design visual and textual content

• Part 3: Revise and add formal elements• revise draft (style, cohesion, and usage) for

situation and audiences• develop front and back matter

• Part 1: Proposal• plan and propose project to instructor

• Part 2: First draft of report• conduct research and interpret findings• develop and design visual and textual content

• Part 3: Revise and add formal elements• revise draft (style, cohesion, and usage) for

situation and audiences• develop front and back matter

Report TopicsReport Topics

• Students must identify• a real client who• has a problem, need, or opportunity• has decision-making authority• is available to meet face to face (at

least twice)

• Students must identify• a real client who• has a problem, need, or opportunity• has decision-making authority• is available to meet face to face (at

least twice)

Report TopicsReport Topics• An investigative focus on determining

whether a solution is feasible.• Investigates whether X is a feasible

solution to the client’s problem. Makes a recommendation to implement or not implement X.

• Investigates whether Y or Z is a more feasible solution to the client’s problem. Makes a recommendation to implement Y, Z, or neither.

• An investigative focus on determining whether a solution is feasible.• Investigates whether X is a feasible

solution to the client’s problem. Makes a recommendation to implement or not implement X.

• Investigates whether Y or Z is a more feasible solution to the client’s problem. Makes a recommendation to implement Y, Z, or neither.

Report TopicsReport Topics

• An investigative focus on understanding a problem and identifying a plan of action for solving it.• Investigates why X occurred (or is

occurring). Recommends a plan of action for resolving X.

• An investigative focus on understanding a problem and identifying a plan of action for solving it.• Investigates why X occurred (or is

occurring). Recommends a plan of action for resolving X.

Report TopicsReport Topics• An investigative focus on convincing a

client to implement a particular solution to solve a problem (or realize an opportunity). • Proposes that the client authorize the

writer to implement solution X, which will solve the client’s problem.

• Proposes that the client consider an alternate method, procedure, or product for meeting an existing need.

• An investigative focus on convincing a client to implement a particular solution to solve a problem (or realize an opportunity). • Proposes that the client authorize the

writer to implement solution X, which will solve the client’s problem.

• Proposes that the client consider an alternate method, procedure, or product for meeting an existing need.

Questions?Questions?

• Suggested Topics• Suggested Topics

Project Planning Worksheets


• Purpose: to help students • create a realistic plan for researching

and developing their report• test the suitability of the topic• create a framework or research plan

that will guide • their investigative efforts • their interpretive acts

• Purpose: to help students • create a realistic plan for researching

and developing their report• test the suitability of the topic• create a framework or research plan

that will guide • their investigative efforts • their interpretive acts



• Worksheet 1 : Problem and Solution Analysis• Analyzing problem • Identifying goals and criteria for

effective solutions• Forecasting possible solutions

• Worksheet 1 : Problem and Solution Analysis• Analyzing problem • Identifying goals and criteria for

effective solutions• Forecasting possible solutions



• Problem Analysis• Problem statement• Workplace context• Systems context• Negative consequences• Potential causes• Remedies in progress

• Problem Analysis• Problem statement• Workplace context• Systems context• Negative consequences• Potential causes• Remedies in progress



• Criteria for Effective Solution(s)• Goals solution(s) should achieve• Criteria for evaluating solution(s)• Conditions constraining solution(s)

• Criteria for Effective Solution(s)• Goals solution(s) should achieve• Criteria for evaluating solution(s)• Conditions constraining solution(s)



• Solution Analysis• How the solution solves the problem• Negative consequences eliminated• Positive consequences added• How the solution compares to other

solutions (possibly, how the solution compares to doing nothing)

• Solution Analysis• How the solution solves the problem• Negative consequences eliminated• Positive consequences added• How the solution compares to other

solutions (possibly, how the solution compares to doing nothing)



• Worksheet 2: Audience Analysis• Identifying audience groups• Analyzing audience characteristics

• Worksheet 2: Audience Analysis• Identifying audience groups• Analyzing audience characteristics



• Identifying audience groups• primary, secondary, tertiary • tangential or chance

• Identifying audience groups• primary, secondary, tertiary • tangential or chance



• Analyzing audience characteristics• level of knowledge, experience• point of view (purpose, concerns)• attitude and motivation• learning needs and learning styles• expectations and assumptions

• Analyzing audience characteristics• level of knowledge, experience• point of view (purpose, concerns)• attitude and motivation• learning needs and learning styles• expectations and assumptions



• Worksheet 3: Research Plan• Have identified

• problem and solution(s) to be analyzed• context for the problem• audience groups for report• goals and criteria for evaluating the

solution(s)

• Need a rigorous method or research plan

• Worksheet 3: Research Plan• Have identified

• problem and solution(s) to be analyzed• context for the problem• audience groups for report• goals and criteria for evaluating the

solution(s)

• Need a rigorous method or research plan



• Worksheet 3: Research Plan• For each criterion identified,

• identify required information (background information about criterion and information about solution in light of the criterion)

• select methods for collecting information (observation, interviews, interaction w/system, review of literature or artifacts, questionnaires and surveys)

• list resources available

• Worksheet 3: Research Plan• For each criterion identified,

• identify required information (background information about criterion and information about solution in light of the criterion)

• select methods for collecting information (observation, interviews, interaction w/system, review of literature or artifacts, questionnaires and surveys)

• list resources available

Project Plan Proposals Project Plan Proposals • Students propose their project plan to the

instructor. • Students must convince the instructor that

they• understand the client’s problem• have identified appropriate criteria or goals for

a successful solution• have developed a feasible schedule of activities• are qualified to perform this investigation and

analysis

• Students propose their project plan to the instructor.

• Students must convince the instructor that they• understand the client’s problem• have identified appropriate criteria or goals for

a successful solution• have developed a feasible schedule of activities• are qualified to perform this investigation and

analysis

DraftsDrafts

• Students draft their work and conference with the instructor before the final version is due.

• Students draft their work and conference with the instructor before the final version is due.

technical report writing dr. shelley thomas. overview selecting effective report topics using...

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