1. Technical Report Writing
Dr. Shelley Thomas

2. Overview Selecting effective report topics
Using worksheets to plan projects
Developing and proposing project plans
Developing effective report drafts
Revising drafts

3. 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

4. Report 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)

5. Report 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.

6. Report 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.

7. Report 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.

8. Questions?
Suggested Topics

9. 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

10. Project Planning Worksheets
Worksheet 1 : Problem and Solution Analysis
Analyzing problem
Identifying goals and criteria for effective solutions
Forecasting possible solutions

11. Project Planning Worksheets
Problem Analysis
Problem statement
Workplace context
Systems context
Negative consequences
Potential causes
Remedies in progress

12. Project Planning Worksheets
Criteria for Effective Solution(s)
Goals solution(s) should achieve
Criteria for evaluating solution(s)
Conditions constraining solution(s)

13. Project Planning Worksheets
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)

14. Project Planning Worksheets
Worksheet 2: Audience Analysis
Identifying audience groups
Analyzing audience characteristics

15. Project Planning Worksheets
Identifying audience groups
primary, secondary, tertiary
tangential or chance

16. Project Planning Worksheets
Analyzing audience characteristics
level of knowledge, experience
point of view (purpose, concerns)
attitude and motivation
learning needs and learning styles
expectations and assumptions

17. Project Planning Worksheets
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

18. Project Planning Worksheets
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

19. 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

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