Reports come in all sizes but are typically longer than a page and are somewhat shorter than a book. The type of report depends on its function, and different organizations have reports specific to them. For example, science researchers write lab reports, while incident reports are common in health-and-safety environments. Reports vary by function, organizational needs, and style. There are many types of reports discussed here:
• Lab Report- Communicates the procedures and results of laboratory activities.
• Research Report- Studies problems scientifically by developing hypotheses, collecting data, analysing data, and indicating findings or conclusions.
• Field Study Report- Describes one-time events, such as trips, conferences, seminars, as well as reports from branch offices, industrial and manufacturing plants.
• Incident or accident Report- Describes events such as accidents or altercations in the workplace to document them for legal and insurance purposes officially.
• Progress Report- Monitors and controls production, sales, shipping, service, or related business processes.
• Technical Report- Explains processes and products from a technical perspective.
• Financial Report- Analyses status and trends from a finance perspective.
• Case Study Report- Represents, analyses, and presents lessons learned from a specific case or example.
• Needs Assessment Report- Assesses the need for a service, product, project, program, or initiative.
• Comparative Advantage Report- Discusses competing products or services with an analysis of relative advantages and disadvantages.
• Feasibility Report- Analysis problems and predicts whether current solutions or alternatives will be practical, advisable, or produce the desired outcome(s).
• Instructional Report- Explains step-by-step instructions on the use of a product or service
• Compliance Report- Documents and indicates the extent to which a product or service is within established compliance parameters or standards.
• Cost-benefit Analysis Report- Analysis of the costs and benefits of products or services, including return-on-investment considerations.
• Recommendation Report- Makes recommendations to management and serves as a tool to solve problems and make executive decisions.