Chapter 13 Instructor Resources

Suggested Responses to Additional Exercises and Cases for Chapter 13: Writing Recommendation Reports

Suggested Response to “Studying an Effective Executive Summary”

Although responses will vary, two aspects of the executive summary that help readers understand the major findings of the report are the following:

It begins with a paragraph providing a general summary of findings that does not overwhelm readers with numbers or statistics.
It provides a numbered list of findings that are stated concisely, identified with a visually distinct heading, and supported with concise evidence from the survey.

Suggested Response to “Evaluating an Introduction”

A brief analysis of the introduction taken from a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) follows:

Does the introduction explain the subject of the report? Yes, the introduction makes clear that the document is discussing the current status of fine-particle air pollution in the United States.
Does the introduction explain the purpose of the report? Yes, the introduction explains the report’s different purposes: to report on current status, to analyze data, to review current programs, and to predict future programs.
Does the introduction explain the background of the report? Yes, in brief. The introduction defines particle pollution and describes why it is harmful. In addition, it explains the role of the EPA in combatting it.
Does the introduction describe the sources of information? No.
Does the introduction indicate the scope of the report? Yes, particularly in the bulleted list near the end.
Does the introduction briefly summarize the most significant findings of the project? Yes. Paragraph two indicates that the EPA is making progress but that much more work needs to be done.
Does the introduction briefly summarize the recommendations? No.
Does the introduction explain the organization of the report? No.
Does the introduction define key terms used in the report? It presents a brief, informal definition of particle pollution.

Suggested Response to “A Closer Look at Formal Reports in the Workplace”

Responses will vary. This project provides an opportunity for students to learn from professionals outside the classroom. Many students will discover that report guidelines vary depending on the company and field. In addition, some students will discover that the guidelines for writing effective reports for an organization are often not formally documented and are primarily learned through experience.

Suggested Response to “Recycling Your Old Computer”

Although many computer-recycling programs exist at both state and federal levels, such programs have their critics. For example, educators often report that donated equipment is broken, out of date, or missing crucial hardware. Consequently, students will need to consider both the pros and the cons of a computer-recycling program.

The students’ feasibility reports might answer the following questions:

Does your college or university need a computer-recycling program, or does an existing computer-recycling program need assistance in publicizing its services?
Does computer recycling result in usable computers for schools? That is, can schools successfully connect equipment, install software, and use older-model computers in the classrooms?
Is computer recycling financially wise for your college or university?
Do students, faculty, staff, and community members believe the college or university should have a computer-recycling program?

Students’ feasibility reports should contain the following elements:

statement of the problem or opportunity
criteria for responding to the problem or opportunity
descriptions of options (potential solutions)
discussion of each option according to the criteria
conclusions about the options
recommendations based on the conclusions

Suggested Response to “Analyzing Options and Drawing Conclusions”

1. Sample memo:

TO: Mattias van Noordennen

FROM: [your name]

DATE: May 8, 2016

SUBJECT: Recommendation for Criteria for Pickup Fleet Study

This memo presents my recommendations for the necessary and desirable criteria we should use to select a replacement vehicle for our pickup fleet. I also volunteer to research vehicle options.

Necessary Criteria

Based on my Internet research on heavy-duty trucks and our construction supervisors’ comments, I believe that the replacement vehicle must meet the following necessary criteria:

Safety. The truck must feature front airbags and seat belts for all passengers.
Cost. The truck must cost less than $35,000.
Drivetrain. The truck must have four-wheel drive.

Desirable Criteria

Based on my Internet research on heavy-duty trucks and our construction supervisors’ comments, I recommend we evaluate replacement vehicle options with the following desirable criteria:

Passenger capacity. Supervisors would like to be able to seat comfortably three passengers plus themselves.
Bed length. Supervisors would like to haul materials at least 6½ to 7 feet long in the truck bed.
Bed capacity. Supervisors would like to haul at least 2,000 to 2,500 pounds in the truck bed.
Towing capacity. Supervisors would like to tow at least 7,000 to 10,000 pounds.

Action Item

Let me know if you have questions. I am available to research vehicle options based on the above criteria. I can best be reached by email at your_name@mail.com or by phone at extension 121.

2. Sample decision matrix and scoring key:

Evaluating Each Vehicle Against Our Criteria

Directions: Start by investigating whether the four recommended trucks meet our necessary criteria for safety, cost, and drivetrain (Table 1). Next, evaluate each model using our four desirable criteria listed in the vehicle decision matrix (Table 2).

Table 1. Vehicle Necessary Criteria Evaluation

Model	Safety Features¹	Meets Safety Criterion?²	Cost	Meets Cost Criterion?³	Drivetrain	Meets Drivetrain Criterion?⁴	Consider Further?

¹These features are (a) front airbags, (b) seat belts for all passengers, (c) side curtain airbags, and (d) electronic stability control.

²To meet our necessary safety criterion, the truck must feature front airbags and seat belts for all passengers.

³To meet our necessary cost criterion, the truck must retail for less than $35,000.

⁴To meet our necessary drivetrain criterion, the truck must have four-wheel drive.

Table 2. Vehicle Decision Matrix

Model	Passenger Score¹	Bed Length Score²	Bed Capacity Score³	Towing Score⁴	Total Score

¹Truck scores 5 points for each available seat.

²Truck scores 10 points for a bed length of 6½ feet, 12 points for a bed length of 7 feet, 15 points for a bed length of 8+ feet.

³Truck scores 2 points for every 500 pounds over 2,000 pounds in bed (payload) capacity.

⁴Truck scores 5 points for every 500 pounds over 7,000 pounds in towing capacity.

3. Sample conclusions and recommendations sections:

Conclusions

All four trucks—the Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, the Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab, and the GMC Sierra 2500 HD Regular Cab—are tough trucks, but the Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab fared best in our assessment of each truck’s safety, cost, drivetrain, passenger capacity, bed length, bed capacity, and towing capacity.

Although the Ford F-250 scored the same number of total points in our evaluation as the Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, the Dodge Ram was the only truck we evaluated that has both side curtain airbags and electronic stability control. The Ford F-250 is priced at $3,180 less than the Dodge Ram. However, the Dodge Ram comes with a seven-year/70,000-mile drivetrain warranty, compared to a three-year/36,000-mile drivetrain warranty for the F-250. The $33,825 cost of the Dodge Ram can be calculated as $626 per warrantied month, compared to $851 per warrantied month for the F-250.

Recommendation

We recommend buying the Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab for $33,825 for our pickup fleet. We conclude that it would improve the safety of our fleet, provide more passenger capacity than our existing trucks, and meet our supervisors’ typical day-to-day towing and payload requirements. Although the F-250 could also handle our supervisors’ passenger, towing, and payload requirements and is priced at $3,180 less than the Dodge Ram, the seven-year warranty and side curtain airbags of the Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab make this truck a safe and cost-effective choice.