Exam 13: Writing Recommendation Reports

If your report presents multiple recommendations, how should you consider presenting them?

The R&D division of Nickelburg Steel has just completed testing to determine the best high-strength, low-alloy steel to use for a project. Of the five steel samples, labeled A, B, C, D, and E, steel samples A and B satisfy the minimum requirements, while samples C and D are just barely acceptable. Steel sample E failed the tests. How should the recommendation section of the formal report to the CEO be written?

Jan is a technical writer for Endco, Inc., a company that has just completed a study to determine whether to convert to a more advanced type of server software. Jan is now compiling information for a report that will document the study and will be presented to Endco's CEO, budget director, and operations manager. Jan made a table showing the pros and cons of each of the three brands of software under consideration, along with costs. Endco's Computer Services director also gave Jan his conclusions about each brand and suggestions for what the company ought to do next. Which of the following statements is correct?

What fundamental question does the recommendations section of a recommendation report answer?

In the results section of a recommendation report, you should interpret or comment on the data you have compiled.

The excerpt below is the beginning of the results section of a recommendation report about exercise equipment for a new fitness center. What is wrong with the excerpt? RESULTS In this section, we describe our research into the best exercise equipment for your new fitness center. We consulted Consumer Reports and Health Fitness and interviewed Dr. Hilda Candlish, exercise physiologist, to evaluate the type and quality of equipment that will best meet your needs. Treadmills Treadmills are essential equipment for your fitness center, especially with the limited number of outdoor running trails available in your neighborhood. Johnsung Cardio Trainer, TreadTrainer SJ928, and the Pacer Elite 1100 are the most popular models ("Treadmills," Consumer, p. 102). Studies have shown these models to be the most effective for cardio health (Candlish). We also researched the ProTread 44 and Precision Treader models 24 and 28. We found that the SJ928 had the best overall performance ratings ("Treadmills," Consumer, p. 103) and is priced very competitively locally (Sportshoppe, GymTastic). We conclude that your center should purchase a dozen of these treadmills for zone C of our floor diagram, shown below. Stationary Bicycles Both types of stationary bicycles, recumbent and upright, should be available at every fitness center (Candlish). Though the TrueFitness 356 has the best fitness rating (Health), it has received low ratings for durability and reliability ("Latest," Consumer), and . . .

You should always avoid recommending a course of action that is inconsistent with the conclusions you derived.

You are writing a recommendation report about how to improve the quality of your hotel's customer service. You believe that an online system called Star Service will make your hotel's customer service better. Employees log onto Star Service for 15 minutes every two weeks to watch videos and answer quiz questions. Where should you mention your recommendation to purchase access to Star Service?

The introduction to a recommendation report should never mention your recommendations; only the recommendations section should inform the reader of your recommendations.

A feasibility report is an argument that answers three kinds of questions. One kind is questions of possibility. What is one other kind of question?

According to Chapter 13, the results section of a recommendation report answers the question "What did you see?"

The results section of a recommendation report is most likely to contain which of the following kinds of information?

In the recommendations section of a recommendation report, you should avoid recommending that the organization take no action, or no action at this time.

What is the purpose of providing back matter in a report?

You are writing a recommendation report on which vendor of audio-visual services to hire for your company's annual conference. The three vendors you considered are Adams, MicMasters, and Zenith. You concluded that Zenith was by far the best option, followed by Adams and then MicMasters, both of which were barely satisfactory. However, you have just learned that the top two managers at Zenith, with whom you met, have left the company. The personal service provided by these managers was a big factor in your positive assessment of the company. What recommendation should you make now?

Which of these would be included in the front matter for a report?

In what order should definitions relevant to a report be presented in a glossary?

The back matter of a recommendation report serves two primary purposes. Identify one.

Which of the following questions would be answered in a feasibility report?

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?