Title of the advisory

report
Industrial Engineering & Management

Student:

Group:

Lecturer:

Date: Klik hier als u een datum wilt invoeren.

Hanzehogeschool Groningen
Instituut voor Engineering
 Klik hier als u tekst wilt invoeren.

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Preface

A preface is a personal note before the report starts

NB Some parts in this format are black, others orange. You can leave the black texts
unchanged (or deviate from the format but provide argumentation why); you must
formulate the orange parts yourself. Do not leave any orange parts in your report.

Objective
You aim to give a first impression, take the opportunity to thank people for their support and contribution, present
yourself as a professional, motivated internal/external advisor.

Content
Short, general introduction to the advisory report

End with your name, the date and the place

Remarks
Ethos is emphasized here. You try to create a positive mood for the reader, so that he will be interested in reading
the advisory report.
 Executive Summary

The executive summary is a decision-making document. An executive should

be able to make a decision based solely on the executive summary. This
means that you try to convince the reader to accept your advice.

Objective
You aim to convince the reader that the advice your present will yield positive results for the company, so that he
will decide to accept and implement your advice.

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Content
You indicate what your main advice is

You describe the benefits of your advice for the company (what must the company invest, and what will it yield?)

You indicate what research the advice is based on (validation of the research)

You indicate the most important points of attention for the implementation of the advice

Remarks
The executive summary is a text that is regarded as separate from the advisory report, so you do NOT refer to the
report in the executive summary.

Use positive formulation. The idea is that you put the reader in “yes-mode”, so that he views your advice (and the
rest of the report) from a positive starting point.

Be tactful in choosing the tone and the words: do not offend the reader by writing negatively about the company.

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Table of content
This is the table of content for this format. Use it as an example to structure
your report. Think of a logical structure before you start writing.

Preface...................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Executive Summary................................................................................................................................................ 4

1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 7

1.1. Objective.................................................................................................................................................. 7

1.2. Content.................................................................................................................................................... 7

1.3. Remarks................................................................................................................................................... 7

2. Problem Analysis and Research Approach........................................................................................8

2.1. Objective.................................................................................................................................................. 8

2.2. Content.................................................................................................................................................... 8

2.3. Remarks................................................................................................................................................... 8

2.3.1. Structure.................................................................................................................................................. 8
5
2.3.2. Data.......................................................................................................................................................... 9

2.3.3. Sources.................................................................................................................................................... 9

2.3.4. Illustrations............................................................................................................................................... 9

2.3.5. Plagiarism.............................................................................................................................................. 10

3. Results and Analysis...........................................................................................................................11

3.1. Objective................................................................................................................................................ 11

3.2. Content.................................................................................................................................................. 11

3.3. Remarks................................................................................................................................................. 11

4. Conclusions and Recommendations.................................................................................................12

4.1. Objective................................................................................................................................................ 12

4.2. Content.................................................................................................................................................. 12

4.3. Remarks................................................................................................................................................. 12

5. Implementation and management......................................................................................................13

5.1. Objective................................................................................................................................................ 13

5.2. Content.................................................................................................................................................. 13

5.3. Remarks................................................................................................................................................. 13

Bibliography........................................................................................................................................................... 14

Appendix A............................................................................................................................................................. 15

Appendix B............................................................................................................................................................. 16
 Table of Contents (Continued)

Objective
You aim to give the reader an overview of the advisory report and you enable the reader to look up certain
subjects in the report easily.

Content
See previous page

Remarks
- The numbering must be logical. For example: there is only 3.1 if there is also a 3. 2
- Headings must be formulated as headings, not as questions
- Headings vary in size: chapter title in large letters, headings with two digits somewhat smaller, and
headings with more digits even smaller
- Preface, Executive Summary, Sources and Appendices are indicated without chapter numbers

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1. Introduction

The introduction is an essential part of the report and within the Bachelor
Degree Programme of Industrial Engineering and Management it is always
Chapter 1. The introduction and the consecutive chapters all contain at least
three parts: an introduction, a middle, and a finish or conclusion. The division
of chapters and subchapters is identical to the table of contents.

1.1. Objective
You invite the reader briefly (not literally) to continue reading by introducing the subject of your advisory report. It
should indicate the context of the research and why the research is relevant for the company. You also state the
general objective of the research. In addition you indicate how the report is structured (what is described in which 7
chapter).

1.2. Content
Our mission
To provide a full and precise traceability of the products of our Plant with the help of standard and reliable
softwares made by us according to the regulations and expectations. We ensure the continuous and error-free
production with our softwares and the first-class support of the MES system. Based on our aspirations, our
expertise and our outstanding achievements we are the role model in the MES field and our competencies are
recognized on Continental level, and we can profit from them.

Our Vision
Our Vision is to provide Manufacturing Excellence in the Production with our Softwares which allows Zero Injuries,
Zero Crashes and Zero Malfunctions on the road.
The reason for the research and a description of the situation at the company in general lines. You introduce the
company and the research, and you put the research in context (relation to developments in the sector/society).

- A general description of the company in its surroundings by e.g. SIPOC of MP2BOI, core competence,
its size, age, and history, relation of the research to developments in the sector
- Reason for the research
- Setting and background of the problem (organizational structure and/or general process description)
- The central research question and objective, if advantageous, as a forerunner to Chapter 3.

1.3. Remarks

- Introduce the research very clearly. Remember that the executive summary is seen as a separate
document and the reader has not (necessarily) read the research plan.
 - The reason and context of the research are described by you yourself and are not copied by a cut-and-
paste method from the company’s website or other promotional materials.
- Indicate the importance of the research for the company and place it in the context of developments in
the sector or in society.
- You can use this space to introduce your subject promptly. Further on in the report you will elaborate
with an argumentation.
- End with an overview of the structure of the rest of the report.

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2. Problem Analysis and
Research Approach

This chapter explains defines what the actual problem that was researched is,
based on the preliminary research. It continues to set out how you will
approach the research.

2.1. Objective

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You describe the essence of the research and you explain how you approached it. The reader should be
convinced that the research will be valid.

2.2. Content

- Results of the preliminary research, based on theoretical models. It becomes clear what is exactly the
problem to be researched according to the researcher, as an (external/ internal) advisor, i.e.you.
- You define the problem and the objective, and you formulate the central research question.
- The conceptual model is described and argumentation is provided.
- Sub-questions are derived from the central research question
- There is a clear relationship between the research model and the sub-questions.
- The research methods are described and argumentation for the choice of method is provided.
- The scope of the research is sharply limited (what is included in the research and what is not)

2.3. Remarks
Be sure that argumentation is valid and that your writing is aimed at the reader. The person who gave you the
assignment for the research does not appreciate reading what he has done wrong at the company. He wants to
know what is going on (formulate objectively) and what can be done about it (solution-oriented whenever
possible). Communicate tactfully, as a professional.

2.3.1. Structure
Every chapter starts with an introduction, has a descriptive middle, and is rounded off with an end or a conclusion.
 2.3.2. Data
The data of your research and preliminary research are inserted to a large extent in the appendices. Only
information that is necessary for understanding the report are described in the chapters. Refer to the correct
appendix.

Indicate how you collected the data, e.g. by interviews (with whom, why them, representative sample?),
measurements (what have you measured, how, analyzed in relation to what?), observation (observation and
interview notes are included in appendices).

2.3.3. Sources
You will use literature, films, case studies and interviews (and perhaps other sources) to add weight, content and
relevance to your research. It is important that you arrange this material transparently, so that the reader can
recognize its sources. It is essential to cite and refer to the sources that you use in a way that is recognizable for
the reader.

If you use literature, you must indicate your sources in a literature list (Bibliography or Sources). You must refer to
a source in the text if you cite the source literally (put the quote between “ “ ) or if you paraphrase or summarize
someone else’s text.

A practical and much-used system of reference is the author-year system1. After the cited passage in your report
you put the name of the author, the year of publication of the document and the page number(s) from which you
cite (Slagter, 1995: 15-17). If you mention the author in your text, you insert the year of publication and the pages
you cite between brackets, as in: according to Slagter ( 1995b: 23) …..
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The author-year system has a consequence for the listing in the bibliography or list of sources at the end of your
report. The year of publication is not given at the end of the entry, but right after the name of the author. Slagter,
R., (1995) Hoe schrijf ik een rapport?, Assen.

The bibliography is arranged in alphabetical order, by name of the author.

2.3.4. Illustrations
Illustrations such as tables, diagrams, and graphs are an important means to support your argumentation. It
should always be clear what the subject is, so add a number and a name to the illustration. In case of a graph, do
not forget to define the x and y axes.

Table heading Table heading Table heading

Table 1: Description or name of the table

Mind you: tables, graphs, and diagrams (and other illustrations) are illustrations to the text, and not the other way
around. The illustrations do not speak for themselves. Instead of providing the reader with riddles he has to solve,
you indicate the most important points in the text, you describe them and give an argumentation. You always refer
to the illustration in the text. NB A chapter can never solely consist of a table or another illustration.

2.3.5. Plagiarism
If you cite a text a reader must be able to recognize that it is a citation and not your own text. If you do not mark
this clearly, you are committing plagiarism, which is a criminal offense.
1
It is really very practical, as you read in this footnote. A footnote provides context that is important but not absolutely essential,
because it can strengthen your statement, e.g. by referring to a good case study.

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“If you use literature, you must indicate your sources in a bibliography (list of sources). You must refer to
the source in your text when you quote a text literally (put between “… “) or formulate or summarize it in
your own words.

A practical and much-used system of reference is the author-year system. You write the name of the
author, the year of publication and the page(s) you cite from behind the quoted passage, (Slagter, 1995:
15-17). If the author has written multiple publications, you can mark them by adding a,b,c, etc. behind
the year of publication (Slagter, 1995b: 14). If you mention the author in your text, you insert the year of
publication and the page(s) used behind the author’s name ( 1995b: 23).”

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 3. Results and Analysis

This chapter describes the results found during the research and provides an
analysis of these results.

3.1. Objective
You present the research data and provide an analysis from which conclusions can be drawn at a later stage.

3.2. Content
- You present the data you found per sub-question of the central research question.
- You decide which data need to be inserted in the report so that the reader can understand the general
12 line of the report. Detailed data should be included in appendices.
- The data should be formulated as quantifiable and qualifiable results, whenever possible.
- The data should be analyzed.
- Summarize the results and analyses per sub-question.

3.3. Remarks
See 2.3.1 - 2.3.5

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4. Conclusions and
Recommendations

This chapter provides the conclusions that are drawn from the analysis of the
research data in the previous chapter. The conclusions form the basis for the
recommendations.

4.1. Objective
Final conclusions are drawn and an advice is given to the company.

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4.2. Content

- The conclusions of the research are supported by a solid argumentation

- The conclusions should follow logically from the analysis in the previous chapter.
- The recommendations are based on the conclusions and form the advice for the company.
- The advice contains an answer to the central research question and meets the objective.

4.3. Remarks

- The chapter with conclusions and recommendations does not contain any new data or information.
- The advice should be workable for the company. It should basically answer the question “what does the
company need to do (invest) and what does it yield (benefits, return), not only in qualitative terms, but
quantified whenever possible.
- Write to impress: this is one of the most-read chapters of an advisory report. This is THE chapter to
show off the quality of the work and your professionalism.
- Formulate positively . Your advice is the solution to the company’s problem, so focus on the solution.
Lead with the benefits.
- This chapter also starts with an introduction, has a descriptive middle, and is rounded off with an end or
a conclusion.
- Also see 2.3.2 – 2.3.5
 5. Implementation and
management

This is the chapter that may result in a new assignment for you as a
consultant. Someone needs to be hired to implement the advice given in the
previous chapter. Who better to choose than you? Chances are that you will be
hired again if you present your suggestions for implementation attractively .

5.1. Objective
You see to it that the company knows exactly how to implement your advice and manage the resulting situation.

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5.2. Content
You suggest to the company how they can implement the advice and how they can manage and control the new
situation that has come to exist after the implementation.

5.3. Remarks
- Formulate positively; avoid negative words such as no, not, never, not yet, only, etc.
- Describe the steps of implementation in such a way that they appear practical and workable.
- Pay attention to change-management related aspects, in other words, describe how you think the people
in the company will be persuaded to perform as suggested in your advice.
- Write an extra paragraph that rounds off the report, so that it does not stop abruptly. Like every
chapter, this chapter starts with an introduction, has a descriptive middle, and is rounded off with an end
or a conclusion.
- Also see 2.3.2 – 2.3.5

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Bibliography

Listing the sources you used for your research adds to the validity of the
research.

Objective

A bibliography reports what your sources are for the information obtained by literature research. A reader should
be able to draw the same conclusions if he would do the research again.

Content

Entries of:
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- Books
- Articles from magaines
- Websites
- Promotional materials
- Anual reports
- Strategy and policy plans,
- Etc.

Entries are listed in alphabetical order, by name of the author

Remarks

- Books have an ISBN, articles published on the internet a DOI (digital object identifier)
- Do not just use books that are prescribe on the literature list of the bachelor degree programme (what
literature research would you have done then?)
- Check if you indicated all your sources in the text in the chapters
- Is it clear which was obtained from which source throughout the document?

Example

S TB. (2010). Adviesrapport (handout). Groningen: Hanze Press.

Skills, M. P. (2010). Rapportagerichtlijnen Technische Bedrijfskunde. Groningen : Hanze Press.
 Appendix A title

Appendices provide data in detail

Objective

You provide detailed data and information that is not necessary for understanding de general line of the text in
chapters 1-5. There is no limit to the number appendices.

Content

There are two general rules for determining whether something needs to be described in a chapter or in an appendix.
The first has to do with layout. Large drawings, diagrams, tables, examples of forms, figures, pictures, etc. are added
16 in an appendix if they hinder easy reading of the text in the chapters. Second, avoid irritation by the reader when he
has to leaf back and forth to schemes, tables, etc. Then you may want to insert it in the text instead of an appendix.
An alternative is a foldable appendix that the reader can fold out and read next to the text for as long as is deemed
necessary.

Remarks

- An appendix must have a letter and a title.

- Use the same name and letter in the table of contents, without giving it a chapter number.
- See to it that you refer to the (correct) appendix in your text at least once.
- Refer to every appendix.
-

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Appendix B title

Appendices provide data in detail

Objective

You provide detailed data and information that is not necessary for understanding de general line of the text in
chapters 1-5. There is no limit to the number of appendices.

Content

There are two general rules for determining whether something needs to be described in a chapter or in an appendix.
The first has to do with layout. Large drawings, diagrams, tables, examples of forms, figures, pictures, etc. are added
in an appendix if they hinder easy reading of the text in the chapters. Second, avoid irritation by the reader when he 17
has to leaf back and forth to schemes, tables, etc. Then you may want to insert it in the text instead of an appendix.
An alternative is a foldable appendix that the reader can fold out and read next to the text for as long as is deemed
necessary.

Remarks

- An appendix must have a letter and a title.

- Use the same name and letter in the table of contents, without giving it a chapter number.
- See to it that you refer to the (correct) appendix in your text at least once.
- Refer to every appendix.