www.infinitegrowth.com.au | Do you find it difficult to begin the writing process for your business documents, especially reports or proposals? Here are four steps to creating an outline, which will save you time and can help you to become clear as to the essential components of your document.

1. Four Steps To Creating An Outline

2. Do you find it difficult to
begin the writing process for
your business documents,
especially reports or
proposals?

3. Have you ever found yourself
in one of these situations?
oLimited time to complete
your document
oYou’re not clear on what
you need to produce
oToo much information to
sift through

4. An outline can
save time
and help you to
become clear on
the essential
components
required.

5. Benefits
o Having something to follow during the
writing process
o Being able to break the task into manageable
parts
o Ensuring no information is left out

6. Creating An Outline
An outline shows you what you should write
and at what point.
Follow these four steps to
create an outline for your document.

7. Step One – Key Result
Write the key result as
you understand it.
When doing this,
consider these
questions …

8. oWhat specific outcomes should this
project produce?
oWhich outcomes are most
important?
oWhat business needs do the
outcomes address?

9. Write the key
result as a concise
sentence.

10. Step Two - Brainstorm
Brainstorm all that
you know about the
relevant aspects of
your proposal or
report.

11. oWho?
Who needs to be involved?
oWhy?
Why is your solution the best one to follow?
oWhen?
When will the project need to be completed?

12. Further questions to consider to
develop a complete picture:
oHow can I define the result areas?
oWhat are the appropriate measurement
indicators?
oWhat is the cost?
oWhat is my solution to the problem or situation?

13. Don’t order the
points
that you’ve
brainstormed at
this stage.

14. Step Three – Group Related
Ideas Or Facts
Connect relevant
points to the key
result you created.
Expand on ideas and
be more specific
where possible.

15. Step Four - Prioritise
Think about your
reader and what
should come first from
their point of view.
Number the key points
in order of
importance.

16. Result
The end result is an outline for a report, the
executive summary of a proposal or an outline
for a complete letter proposal.

17. Repeat the process
for each section of
your document as
necessary.

18. Then focus on areas such as:
o Technical specifications
o Functional specifications
o Project plan
o Cost analysis

19. Making this a
regular part of
your writing
process will help
you to save time.

20. A document that is easy to follow and
covers the key areas for your reader will
...

21. … increase the chances of your report
being accepted or your proposal winning
you new business.

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