Classification of business reports.

2. 5 DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF BUSINESS REPORT
 Business report classifications fall into six distinct
categories
A. Mode of presentation
B. Level of formality
C.Length of the report
D.Location of the receiver
E. Flow of the communication

3. MODE OF PRESENTATION
Oral report
 Presented verbally/ through oral media after investigating the
matter
 Less effective – no documentary device
Written report
 Presented in written form
 Prepared by following specific format
 More effective – well documented

4. LEVEL OF FORMALITY
Formal
 Detailed
 Examines a complex problem in depth
 Following specific formats
 This type of report again can be divided in two categories:
Informational
Presents information on particular topic but does not provide any explanation and
recommendations.
EG: Annual reports and progress reports of taskforces
Analytical
Present and analyze data as well as interpreting the data and make
recommendation.
EG: Feasibility reports, request approval, evaluation of investment project

5. Informal
 Prepared to assists routine managerial functions.
 Written by subordinates
 Short in length and written in letter or memo, format
 Less planned.

6. LENGTH OF THE REPORT
Short Report
 Less time is allotted for the preparation of this type of report
 Examples: Interim progress reports, personal activity repot, etc.
Long report
 Length of long report may be more than hundred pages depending on the
nature and importance of the matter.
 In depth analysis is made to prepare a long report
 Time consuming and formal in nature.

7. THE LOCATION OF THE RECEIVER
Internal Communication
 Communication among the members of an organization
 That is when executives and employee of an organization
communicate each other within the organization then it will be
labeled as internal communication
External Communication
 When executives and employees of an organization
communicates or exchanges information with outsiders of the
organization

8. FLOW OF THE INFORMATION
Vertical Communication
 When communication takes place between superior and subordinates
 The flow of information can be of two types:
(i) Downward: From higher authority to lower authority
(ii) Upward: From subordinates to higher authority
Horizontal Communication
 This type of communication flows between employees of equal level.
Cross / Diagonal Communication
 Communication across the formal chain of command
 In this case executives and employees of different departments and of
different levels communicates each other without maintaining the official
channels.