Report Writing Three phases of report writing Exploratory phase (MAPS) Implementation phase Improvement phase Exploratory phase (MAPS) Message Design for ergonomics is important Simple design guidelines exist for ergonomic design. Here are some good and bad examples.

Report Writing Collect information: Audience: Purpose: Scope: Engineers with no knowledge of ergonomics. Purpose: Exercise good report writing skills. Learn about ergonomics in design. Scope: Introductory with focus on design aspects rather than anatomy. Collect information: Library, catalogs, professional experts, original research. In the case of ergonomics: mostly library search

Report Writing Implementation (PWRR) Plan! Spend as much time planning as writing! Planning prevents “wondering what to do next”. Revise plans as necessary but keep planning. Select the concepts to be presented from information gathering stage. Make an outline to organize and give order to your presentation [report]

Reports Plan Write Relax Make a list of most important points and separate them from supporting material. The supporting material should be enough to assure the subject comprehension, not overwhelming the reader. Write Use the outline to write a rough draft. Just get the ideas on paper - don’t bother with grammar. Relax Rest or do something else for a day or two. Allow your mind to become more objective in critically reviewing the work.

Reports Revise First revision: Second revision: Check for accuracy and validity of statements, charts, and equations. Cross misleading or confusing information. Second revision: Strive for clarity. Use simple non-confusing statements. As a rule of thumb, each statement should not be more than two lines. But avoid too many short sentences

Reports Second revision Avoid jargon not known to readers. Avoid complicated drawings. Match the report to the interest, need, and technical level of audience. Under-estimate the knowledge of the audience. Third revision Improve the report organization Are there enough headings and sub-headings

Reports Third revision Fourth revision Does the material follow a logical development Fourth revision Seek conciseness Ask yourself how much can be deleted without disturbing the reader’s comprehension of the report.

Reports Fifth revision Sixth revision Correct errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Sixth revision Are you satisfied? Allow someone to read your report

Report writing guidelines Format of Technical Reports Front material Main Text Back matter Front matter Letter of transmittal: Per company guidelines Title page Title, team members, report date Preface Briefly introduces the reader to the report. Includes subject, purpose, acknowledgements.

Report writing guidelines Table of contents List of figures Abstract or summary: A mini-report Summary is written last Excludes all the supporting materials Includes the objective, the approach, the results, and the conclusions and recommendations.

Report-Writing Guidelines Main text Introduction Prepares the reader for easier comprehension. Helps the reader understand the purpose of the project, and should include: The subject Background information Purpose of the report Is this project relevant and informative to me? The scope of the project Plan of the development (organization) Body Conclusions and Recommendations

Report writing guidelines Body [Design work - Final design report] Product design specifications. Introduce the final design. Divide based on product functionally. Divide into assemblies and components. Show how components work together. Describe each component in detail Describe assembly, operations, safety, maintenance, and disposal procedures. Describe product development decisions in attachments.

Report writing guidelines Conclusions Summarize the entire work State your conclusions strong and weak features of the design Make recommendations [if any] What did not work and what to do about it What aspects of design may need improvement Back matter: Bibliography, appendix