A business report is a structured document that presents information, analysis and recommendations to help a company make a decision. Managers write one to review performance, analysts to assess a market or a problem, and committees to report their findings to a board.
There are 40 business report templates below, including an informative report, an itemized report, a committee report, a business research report and a business analysis report. A comprehensive version suits longer reviews. Each is editable and follows a standard business report format, so you can drop in your own findings, and a business report example shows how a finished one reads.
Decide on your recommendation first, then build the report to support it. Many readers stop after the first page, so state the conclusion there in plain words.
For more specific reports, see our sales report templates, consulting report templates for client recommendations, and technical report templates for project and research findings.
Practical Business Report Templates
Informative Business Report Template
Sample Itemized Business Report Template
Committee’s Business Report Template
Useful Business Research Report Template
Company’s Business Analysis Report Template
Company’s Business Report Template
Special Business Analysis Report Template
Comprehensive Business Report Template
Organization’s Business Report Template
Detailed Guide to Business Report Writing
Business Management Report Template
External Expert’s Business Report Template
Business Solicitation Report Template
Professional Business Report Template
Different Types of Business Reports
Following are some of the common types of business reports that are mostly used in business world:
1. Business Feasibility Report:
This type of business report explains the feasibility or viability of a particular project or business decision, such as making a new investment or considering a major merger.
2. Business Analytical Report:
In this type of report, data about a specific situation or problem is analyzed and interpreted. The writer, acting as an expert, analyzes the situation and then proposes the options or solutions available to deal with it.
3. Simple Informational Report:
An informational report only presents information or details on a particular subject. The writer provides the information without giving opinions or suggestions. This type of report can be a bit less formal than other reports.
4. Project Progress Project:
This type of report states the overall progress of a particular project. It can be written for a client company or for the director of your own company. It must also state all current issues related to the project and future plans.
5. Research Report:
In a formal research report, the writer presents their analysis and suggested solutions and also collects all the data and performs all the research. This type of report is usually created by a group or team of individuals.
Best Business Report Templates
Business Progress Report Template
Business Project Report Template
Unique Business Report Template
Business Expansion Report Template
Small Business Report Template
Business Valuation Report Template
Manufacturer’s Business Report Template
Special Business Research Report Template
Business Report Format Template
Business Expense Report Template
Business Report Notebook Template
Valuable Business Report Template
Advantages of a Business Report
A business report has internal as well as external advantages, some of which are mentioned below.
External Benefits:
- Through sustainability reporting, negative social and governance affects can be minimized.
- The external stakeholders get to know the true values and ultimate goals of the organization.
- Reporting maintains the professionalism of the business and overall improves its reputation.
- Reporting can easily show how the organization influences, and is influenced by, assumptions about sustainable development.
Internal Benefits:
- Risks are properly identified and timely decisions can be taken in order to minimize those risks.
- It enables smooth processing, that ultimately decreases costs and increases efficiency.
- A suitable link between a financial and non-financial performance can be easily established.
- Through reporting, better opportunities can be worked out.
- It is easy to compare performance and progress within the departments of the organization.
- Enable to devise long term management strategies and useful business plans for future.
- Problems or issues faced by the business can be properly dealt with, by suggesting best possible solutions.
Effective Business Report Templates
Monthly Business Report Template
Business Report Worksheet Template
Useful Business Research Report Template
Company’s Official Business Report Template
Elemental Annual Business Report Template
High Growth Small Business Report Template
Business Trip Report Template
Standard Business Report Template
Small Business Owner Report Template
Professional Business Report Template
Particular Business Report Template
Corporate Business Report Template
Stylish Design Business Report Template
Equity Design Business Report Template
Writing a Business Report Around Its Purpose
Choose a structure that answers the reader’s question. A performance update, options appraisal and investigation report require different evidence and conclusions. When the report focuses specifically on sales performance, WordNExcelTemplates’ sales report templates offer a dedicated spreadsheet format for those figures.
- Define the purpose, scope and reporting period.
- Present evidence and analysis in an order the reader can follow.
- State supported conclusions, limitations and practical next steps.
Worked Example
Example: a report on delivery delays identifies the period, volume and categories examined before proposing improvements. A single difficult delivery is an example, not evidence that the entire operation has the same problem.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid burying the decision needed beneath background. Keep actual results, estimates and recommendations visibly distinct.
Related Templates
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I write the executive summary first?
You can outline it early, but finalize it after the analysis so the summary matches the evidence and recommendations.
How many charts should I include?
Use charts when they clarify a comparison or trend. Label sources and units, and omit visuals that merely repeat a simple number.
