File: Unit Six: Feasibilty Report

Feasibility Report
You've identified a problem, devised a research plan, conducted interviews using carefully
crafted questions, and completed one other kind of research. Another way of looking at this
project—you did what you said you would do in the proposal where you presented your project
plan. Now it's time to tell your decision maker

• What you discovered (findings)

• What those discoveries mean and what conclusions can be drawn from the information
uncovered during the research phase (conclusions)
• What the decision maker should do given the results of your research (recommendations)

Before writing your report, read pp. 586-606. Also read Chapters 12 and 13.

A few notes about the main text of the report. You will play different roles as you spell out your
findings, conclusions, and recommendations for your decision maker. The findings and
conclusions must provide the rationale for the recommendations.

Findings: You will be a reporter summarizing the information you gathered in the course of your
report.

Conclusions: You will be an analyst or teacher who will explain the meaning and significance of
the findings.

Recommendations: You will be a consultant who will guide decisions to be made by your
decision maker.

Web Link: The Heart of the Report (PowerPoint)

https://umconnect.umn.edu/p88648356/

File: Numbers and Lists

Numbers and Lists

Technical and business writing inevitably requires you to use numbers in your texts. To gear up
for writing your report, review some of the rules that govern the use of numbers and lists.
Although this unit doesn't have a quiz, you should count on questions regarding the use of
numbers and lists in the editing quiz that you'll take at the end of the semester. Here, then, is the
link:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/numbers.htm

File: Feasibilty Report Instructions

Feasibility Report

Purpose:

1. To demonstrate that you can summarize research and thus provide background and
rationale for recommendations you offer to a decision maker.
2. To offer at least a partial solution to the problem you described in your problem statement.
3. To demonstrate that you can write a report that incorporates the structure, features, and
conventions found in formal reports.
4. To demonstrate that you can edit a major text for conciseness, parallelism, overuse of
passive voice, etc.

Preparation

1. Read chapters 12 and 13 in the Anderson text. Pay close attention to pages 586-606.
2. Go through the Power Point presentation that discusses your role and tasks as you write the
body of your report.
3. Complete the research you described in your planning proposal.

Assignment:

1. Write a report using the principles Anderson discusses in pp. 586-606.

o Cover
o Letter of transmittal (see Anderson pp. 308-10)
o Table of contents (use the table of contents function in MS Word, or whatever
publishing program you are using)
o List of figures and tables (incorporate at least one visual such as a graph or table in
the final report. See Anderson chapters 12 and 13)
o Executive summary
o Body
 Introduction
 Problem statement
 Scope of the project and report
Background methodology (what you did to uncover information including why
you selected the methods you did)
 Definitions (if needed by the audience)
 Limitations (if necessary)
 Findings (facts, data, information you collected. when including information
and quotations from interviews say who, when, and what was said - cite all of
your sources)
 Conclusions (analysis and explanation of the findings)
 Recommendations (steps you are recommending your decision maker take
because you have provided sufficient rationale in the finds and conclusions
section)
 Back matter (Include all of your interview questions and responses in an
appendix)
2. Create a style guide that will keep your presentation consistent. Make sure all of your
headings and sub-headings are consistent. Use no more than two typefaces in the document
(e.g., Helvetica for headings and Times New Roman for text).
3. Write a draft of the report and send it to your group for editing.
4. Revise and submit the report to your instructor.

Evaluation criteria

1. You demonstrated an understanding of what should be discussed in the sections devoted to

findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
2. Your recommendations flow from your findings. You used the findings to support your
recommendations.
3. Your report demonstrates that you seriously researched your topic as you described in the
planning proposal, thereby creating a thorough report.
4. Your report that has consistent headings, hierarchies, font styles and sizes, margins, and
spacing throughout, i.e., it looks professional.
5. You've included all the suggested parts of the report.
6. You edited your report for conciseness, parallelism etc.
7. You proofread your paper for typos, inappropriate punctuation, and other errors.

Assignment: Feasibility Report Assignment

Instructions:
Submit your Feasibility Report.

Attachments:

Due Date:
April 21, 2009 11:59 PM
Collaboration Type
Individual Grading Criteria:
out of 100