Writing the executive summary

- The first section of your business case…is the executive summary.…The executive summary is the first section,…but it's the last one you'll write.…It's a short summary of the entire business case…that succinctly conveys the vital information…about the project,…and lays out the entire story for the reader.…People should be able to completely understand your idea…and its merits after reading the executive summary.…Write the rest of your business case first;…once you have, go back,…and find key points from each section;…assemble those into a story that flows.…

For tips on creating a story in the form…of an executive summary, check out my course,…how to get your ideas approved.…When I write an executive summary, the flow I like to follow…defines the problem, explains the solution,…describes the benefits of the solution,…explains the costs of executing it,…quantifies the benefits, articulates the risks of my plan,…and lays out a timeline.…It's a natural flow that's easy to follow,…and more importantly, easy to approve.…