Exam 18: Writing Recommendation Reports

Which of these is an example of documentation in a report?

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

which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to present your conclusions in a recommendation report?

the methods section of a recommendation report answers the question "What equipment did you use in conducting this investigation?"

A consulting company hired by Best Builders has just completed a study to determine the best fencing for a condominium complex Best Builders will construct. The technical writer preparing a recommendation report of the feasibility study has compiled the following information to be used in the report: Because the complex will be located in an environmentally sensitive area, the fence must visually enhance the property while blending in with its surroundings, yet at the same time adding a measure of safety. In order to keep monthly condominium dues as low as possible, the fence must not require a high degree of maintenance. Its minimum life should be 25 years, and it should cost under $70,000. The options researched were stone, vinyl, vinyl-coated iron, and wood. Both types of vinyl fencing will last up to 25 years, stone up to 50 years, and wood up to 15 years. Wood fencing must be painted or stained periodically. Maintenance for vinyl and stone fencing consists of occasionally washing with water. Based on two bids for each type of fencing, all types fall within the maximum allowable cost. Wood was cheapest, followed closely by vinyl. Stone and vinyl-coated iron were the most expensive. We think the best course of action is to have a stone wall built by Masonry Builders, Inc., to enclose the new condominium complex. What additional information is needed for the recommendation report?

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?

Which of these questions does NOT need to be answered in the footnotes or discussion following a decision matrix?

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

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

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

Into what two categories can criteria be classified?

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

a report does not need a letter of transmittal if the writer and the reader work in the same organization.

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

you must establish your decision criteria before you determine your options for addressing the problem.

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

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?

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

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

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