Executive summaries
Write executive summaries that decision-makers actually read: the answer first, the ‘so what’, options, risks and a clear recommendation on one page.
In this lesson you will
- Lead with the conclusion and recommendation
- Prioritise and compress information
- Present options, risks and next steps clearly
Learn
An executive summary lets a busy reader decide without reading the full report. It must stand alone and usually fits on one page.
Structure: Purpose → Key finding(s) → Implications (so what?) → Options → Recommendation → Next steps/decision needed. Put the recommendation near the top.
Compression: numbers over adjectives (costs rose 18% not costs rose significantly); one idea per bullet; no methodology detail unless it affects trust.
Risks and trade-offs: show you’ve considered them: The main risk is… ; mitigated by… End with a clear ask: Decision required by 30 June.
Examples
- Recommendation: Consolidate the two warehouses by Q3, saving £1.2m a year.
- Key risk: short-term delivery delays; mitigated by a phased move.
- Decision required: approval of £300k capital spend by 15 May.
Vocabulary
stand alone
be understandable without other documents
consolidate
combine into one
mitigate
make less severe
trade-off
a balance between competing benefits
capital spend
money spent on long-term assets
Practice
Where should the recommendation appear?
Speaking
Brief a CEO in 60 seconds (an ‘elevator pitch’ version of your executive summary).
Writing
Write a one-page executive summary (200–250 words) recommending whether your organisation (real or imaginary) should adopt a four-day week, with findings, implications, options, risks and a clear decision request.
- ☐ Recommendation near the top
- ☐ Quantified findings
- ☐ So-what implications
- ☐ Options and trade-offs
- ☐ Risks and mitigation
- ☐ Clear decision request
Lesson quiz
“Mitigate” means…
Review
Key points
- Answer first.
- So what? Implications.
- Options, risks, mitigation.
- Clear decision request.
What you learned
- ✓ I write executive summaries.
- ✓ I compress and prioritise.
- ✓ I drive decisions.