More ResourcesĬFI offers the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™ certification program for those looking to take their careers to the next level.Congratulations: you’ve written your board report. Since the readers of the business plans and reports (investors, lenders, and C-level executives) generally do not have time to read all the lengthy documents they receive, a well-written summary can help you to grab their attention and subsequently achieve your business goals.Īs the executive summary is the initial representation of the complete document, it should cover the main parts of a plan or proposal and indicate the points that are elaborated on in the final document.

The primary goals of the executive summary are to provide a condensed version of the main document, such as a business plan, and to grab the attention of the reader(s).

Possible solutions and their justifications.

Analysis of a problem or proposition, with supporting facts, data, and figures.

Identification of a main problem or proposition.

Components of the Summaryĭespite the fact that the components of the executive summary may vary depending on the specifics of the main document, some major parts are still presented in the majority of the summaries. On the other hand, the executive summary is a shorter version of the main document and can be read separately because it provides all the key points of the document. The abstract is a complementary overview of a larger document that does not provide much value to the reader by itself. The executive summary must not be confused with an abstract of the document. In addition, the summary must have a similar structure and flow as the main document. One should know well the target audience of the document to convey the message as clearly as possible. It should be written in short paragraphs, using clear and concise language appropriate for the target audience.

Generally, an executive summary is relatively short, with an average length of one to four pages. It is primarily used in the business world, but its application in academia is also possible. In other words, it is a condensed version of a complete business plan or proposal. Updated DecemWhat is an Executive Summary?Īn executive summary is the first section of a business plan or proposal that provides a brief overview of the document and contains its main points.

Executive summary example