How to Make the Best Technical Report Example
The best technical report example will provide accurate and proven information following the three essential research features: procedure, progress, and outcomes.
A technical report will contain the procedures, design criteria, research history, and other relevant data for the project. Such complex information requires it to be understandable and efficient.
In this article, you will learn about technical report writing and how to make them easy to read and understand. Also, you will get some free templates that you can use to have a head start on crafting a successful technical report.
What is a Technical Report
A technical report is a written document describing the process and results of scientific or technical research. It includes experimental details, data, and further recommendations within the research.
It is usually written to report a specific research problem or question you may have. All the technical information needs to be presented in a clear and accessible format, divided into sections allowing readers to access different information.
Technical reports are also known as academic reports because students are usually required to write in such format. This academic task is set to test each student's ability to do independent research and present it clearly. Such technical reports are evaluated on how the issue, research methods, and results are described in the paper. If the data is on point and formatted properly, there won't be any problem.
A correct technical report format is single-sided on white A4 paper, with all four margins being at least 2.54 cm. Their page numbers should be consecutively numbered (starting with 1) and can be issued in print, microform, or digital. As to which style it should follow, you can use ASCE, TRB, IEEE, or APA 6th Edition styles.
Technical report writing means allocating and summarizing knowledge gained through observing certain experiments, processes, or phenomena. It is important to be meticulous and record every single detail possible when studying the problem.
The Importance of Technical Reports
Writing technical reports take time and effort, and writing them in a technical style makes it even more challenging.
People write technical reports to suggest projects, analyze and solve difficulties, assist others in understanding the research, and describe methods, among other things. But there are a few more reasons to make a technical report, which we will see below.
Better and Efficient Communication
Companies usually use technical reports to communicate important information to senior officials and managers. Then, such information is used to make crucial decisions that will have a long-term effect on the business.
Some technical report examples are proposals, manuals, requests, procedures, emails, and progress reports.
The reader should be able to understand the meaning of your technical report. The report is a critical communication link between staff. Unclear technical writing is costly, and the entire project could be affected if such a link is poor.
Organizes Data
Technical reports are brief, accurate documents that should be well-organized and prepared consistently. It is one area where all the content about a certain project is written concisely and interpretably.
It grants simplicity, allowing the readers to find the information they are looking for. Including headings and lists in the report will make it more accessible. A table of contents, a glossary, a list of images, and an index would be ideal for your technical report.
It Evidences Your Work
Your technical report would be your only proof of research. It highlights the methods conducted for your study and will recognize your efforts to improve evaluation.
All information should be included during the writing process of your technical report. It should also contain its history and a thorough explanation of the process or method used to carry out a certain task, together with its findings, conclusions, and suggestions.
Serves As Tools for Evaluation of Your Work
Teachers and supervisors will assess your research proposal based on technical writing. You will be evaluated on the accuracy of the report, as well as if it is clear and understandable.
But before you begin writing a technical report, you need to consider which is your target audience. Analyzing who will be your intended readers allows you to organize your report much better, and whether they can be lecturers, industry experts, or buyers seeking to finance the project.
This will give you an idea of the reader's knowledge about the topic and how much material should be included in the technical report.
How a Technical Report is Composed
Take note of the technical report format. It is very important whenever you are tasked to write down a technical report example. The format makes it unique from other written reports as it contains technical information and details. You need to plan it well.
You must understand the structure of a technical report, which has the following elements.
Title Page
The title page comes first in any technical report sample. It states the title of your report, date, details of the institution, and supervisor. It is also named "cover page."
Keep in mind that anything you place here isn't included in your report's word count, as it is considered a separate entity from the rest of your report.
Introduction
The introduction states the goals of writing the report and some additional information on how the report will cover the topic.
It leads the reader straight into the report from the first phrase. It should state the importance of such research. But you shouldn't include too much background information about the topic. You have to be as specific as possible.
Abstract
The abstract is a report summary that briefly discusses the subject matter and the main research results and conclusions.
You need to be concise in the abstract, trying to write a one-paragraph summary of the report. It should be around 500 words at maximum.
Body of Content
It will be the most important part of your technical report example.
You can create subheadings to emphasize the most crucial points. Adding subheadings will make the report easy to read, and readers can utilize them as a guide throughout your report.
Placing your points in a numbered or bulleted list will make it even easier for the readers to get the points you are trying to convey. To improve it, you can separate the points under their individual subtopics to avoid confusion.
Conclusions
It summarizes the key ideas that can be drawn from the report based on how important the findings reported are.
Conclusions are often read first without paying much attention to the whole report. Also, the final phrases are always valuable as they contain the answers provided by a test or study.
Technical report conclusions should focus on the following:
- Reference to the aims of the report
- Application of the final results
- Limitation of the findings
- Evaluation of the evidence
Recommendations
Here you can give all your suggested solutions and recommendations for any of the challenges you stated in the technical report.
This would be the best place to write your opinions for the readers so they know about them.
References and Bibliography
The bibliography or reference list will prove your evidence. The readers will see your sources of information during your research for the report.
Still, there are some differences between the two. The reference list is a list of every reference cited in the report and need to be listed in alphabetical order at the end.
The bibliography is a list of all the reference material you find and consult during your research for the technical report.
All the published references need to contain their corresponding bibliographic information from the source, such as the author name, the title of publication, the article title (if you are using a journal article), date and place of publication, publisher, volume number, and page number(s).
However, it is not sufficient to list all the sources. Using the reference numbering system, you need to indicate them individually within the report. Otherwise, they will be treated as common knowledge, as your own ideas, or some might assume them to be plagiarism.
Acknowledgments
Make a list of all the people who helped you come up with the technical report. Try to include everyone, from those who proofread it to those who contributed to the research.
Appendices
Appendices consist of information that can support your report. It may include tables, diagrams, etc.
Although this extra information does not need to be explained in detail, it must directly relate to the research problem or the report's objectives.
How to Write a Technical Report
Knowing how to craft a report for any professional purpose is something that needs practicing.
According to the New York Times, three-quarters of 8th and 12th graders lack proficiency in proper writing. It should be taken seriously as it won't be long until these individuals begin writing scientific reports in their chosen fields or critical documents for business.
There are some guidelines and a structure you should follow to improve the quality of your entire report.
Establish the Message
After collecting data and conducting research, you can start writing your report. Always start by strategically planning out the message you want to deliver.
Defining the topic or problem you want to address will help you to stay focused on the main message. You need to make sure to who you are writing and how your information will be helpful to your audience in any way.
Prepare an Outline
Technical reports are structured to state figures and facts in an organized manner. It often comes with clearly numbered and headed sections.
The outline of the report will help you determine the most valuable sections and which you could do without them. Once you have an idea of what to write, all the information you need to include in the report will flow naturally.
Start Writing the Main Body
The main body will lay out the problem of the matter being addressed, how to resolve it, and the results of the procedure.
Clearly establish the primary goal of your report and its relevance. Describe what your findings and data mean to the study.
Your audience may have some knowledge about the topic, but that wouldn't mean they will comprehend your message right away the way you intend to. Establishing your findings in a context that translates well with your readers is very important.
Write the Abstract
The abstract usually is written after the rest of the document, even though it comes on the first pages of the report.
This part has a more condensed overview of the technical report, covering the essentials for readers to consider. It can influence a person's decision to keep reading the contents of the report. It usually takes 300 and 500 words to get your point across.
Check for Specific Guidelines
While technical reports are standardized to some degree, the layout may vary according to individual preferences and requirements.
Sometimes, these reports come with special instructions that the author must comply with. Check with your manager, advisor, colleague, or client to identify the specifics of the report layout as a final review before you decide to print it.
Check Some Technical Report Examples and Templates For You!
Now that you have learned how a technical report is formatted and composed, you are ready to write one of your own. But, if you need further guidance and help, here are some templates you can check out. All you need to have is Microsoft Word installed on your computer.
If you need an activation key for Word, you can purchase one at a low price from the RoyalCDKeys store. It comes with the latest version of Office, and it will also give you all the Office programs like Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and more.
Simple Technical Report Template
This template covers the basic guidelines for writing your own technical report. It comes with pre-established information to further guide your way through. Add some imagery and graphs, as this one goes straight to the point.
You can download it from WordTemplatesOnline.
Technical Evaluation Report Template
This template will help you to create a lasting impression on your business deals. The template is versatile enough as you will be able to use it in many formats.
Download it from Template.net.
Health Technical Report Template
For those working in medical facilities (or studying medicine), this template will serve you well as a guide and layout for preparing your own report.
Interim Technical Report Template
This template contains many sections divided into tables to improve readability. It uses very well-bulleted and numbered lists as well. If you are looking for something more graphical, it is a fine alternative for you.
Report Technical Specification Template
This template is crafted from a more technical point of view, using graphs and tables to establish their main focus points.
Closing Thoughts
You need to know your project well to write a good technical report. When they are well established and written, you will know all the data that needs to be included from memory. There aren't any rigid rules to follow once you know how to structure your report.
The templates shown before can be of great use to you in making a successful report of any kind. Although there are guidelines to comply with, they won't restrict your writing. Use them as a guide and to make things easy to write.