Idea 53: Checklist – How good is your report?
Structure and Layout
Is the title page complete and well laid out?
Is the layout clear and easy to follow?
Are any essential parts of the structure missing?
Are the main parts of the structure in the most suitable order for this report?
Do headings stand out?
Is the numbering of paragraphs uniform?
Are the appendices clear and helpful?
Content
Is the summary or abstract (if included) confined to essentials and a fair statement?
Does the introduction state clearly:
- The subject and the purpose of the report?
- The date of the investigation?
- By whom the report was written?
- For whom the report was written?
- The scope of the report?
Does the main part of the report contain all the necessary facts and no unnecessary information?
Is the order of the main part of the report right?
Is the problem clearly stated?
Does detail obscure the main issue?
Are the sources of facts clear?
Do conclusions follow logically from the facts and their interpretation?
Are possible solutions abandoned without reason?
Are terms, abbreviations and symbols used, suitable and consistent?
Are there any statements whose meaning is not quite clear?
Are facts, figures and calculations accurate?
General
Is the report objective?
Can the report’s recommendations be criticized?
Is the report efficient and businesslike and likely to create a good impression?
Could a non-technical person directly or indirectly concerned with the report understand it?
Could anyone reasonably take offence at anything in the report?
Is the report positive and constructive?
Does it make clear what decision, if any, is required and by whom?