Analysis and Summary of Findings

Subject/Problem Area

Prepared by: Author(s)

Date

Version

Executive Summary

Brief executive summary of the entire report.

Introduction

The introduction should outline the problem that management and the management science team mutually agreed upon, so that there are no misunderstandings of the results discussed in the report. The introduction should be just long enough to explain the problem fully.

Assumptions/Approximations Made

This section could be included as either part of the introduction or as a separate section. The decision maker should be aware of any simplifying assumptions or approximations made.

Solution Approach

This section should be very brief (a sentence of two) and could also be a part of the general introduction. A statement indicating that the problem was modeled as a linear program, a transportation model, or a period review inventory model may be all that is needed. For an audience not familiar with these terms, a brief one- or two-sentence description of the approach will suffice. Finally, a sentence detailing the computer program used (Excel, specialized software, etc.) lends credence to the validity of the results.

Results

This is the “meat” of the report and should be written concisely and clearly and include graphics. Charts and graphs should not only present the solution, but should also show how the solution meets the restrictions of the problem. Try to analyze the implications of the solution as they affect the business and note any unusual or striking conclusions that can be drawn from the results.

What-If Analysis

Includes the contingencies that might result from changes in the assumptions and parameters of the model. This information can be obtained from sensitivity reports or generated by resolving the model to account for these changes. This section may lose its appeal if too many contingencies are considered.

Overall Recommendation

Gives the best overall recommendations after considering the what-if contingencies. These recommendations may indeed differ from those of the basic model. Using charts, tables, pictures where possible is preferable to presenting results in paragraph form.

Appendices

Supporting computer output or hand calculations, or detail of approaches used. Depending on the audience of the report, the appendix may include a complete mathematical model formulation, replete with mathematical symbols and notation.

Analysis and Summary of Findings Report

Karl Knapp

2008-05-14

University of Indianapolis