ESSAY TEMPLATE

Executive Summary

This executive briefly and concisely outlines what was done, how it was done and the benefits either achieved or the expectations of benefits.

Ideally, use only 3 paragraphs answering the questions "what", "how" and "benefits". Aim for the writing to be interesting and the content useful. The executive summary should not exceed more than 300 words in length.

Spend some time on this section of the report. It is the section that "persuades" your manager to either read and use the report or discard it.

Introduction
The introduction builds and extends the executive summary. The reader is your IT manager, so start with your motivation to undertake your professional development or entrepreneurship.

Briefly discuss how you went about gaining your new knowledge. Did you have any problems? How did you solve or mitigate them? Did you discuss your approach with anyone?

Now discuss what you found. Were you surprised? If so, why? If not, why not? In writing the essay, you may use bullet points and numbered lists for clarity and emphasis. However, remember that you are telling a story and bullet points and lists have a tendency to break-up the flow of the story. A disjointed narrative is hard on the reader.

In any exercise of knowledge management you need to consider how you will benefit from the knowledge you have gathered, managed and used. In a business setting, new knowledge and new ideas require someone to own them, to be their champion. Why?

Vary the following headings and outline to suit your learning experience. Please limit the report to a maximum of 1,500 words. The report is to be concise, interesting and the contents useful.

The Problem

Outline the problem you sought to solve, for example the problem of developing an effective portfolio (option 1) or an eCommerce business (option 2). What motivated you to tackle the problem? What abilities did you have that could be used to solve the problem? Did you seek advice? Did you have to extend your current knowledge? Gaining new knowledge often allows you to do things that you previously could not and opens doors that lead to new experiences.