How can you make sure your environmental services report is actionable?

2 Structure your report

The second step to make your report actionable is to structure your report in a logical and coherent way. A well-structured report will help your readers follow your arguments, understand your main points, and find the information they need. A typical environmental services report may include the following sections: executive summary, introduction, background, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, recommendations, and appendices. However, depending on your purpose, audience, and scope, you may need to adjust or modify these sections to suit your specific case. For example, if your report is very technical, you may want to include a glossary of terms or a list of abbreviations to help your readers comprehend your jargon.

3 Write clear and concise sentences

The third step to make your report actionable is to write clear and concise sentences. Your sentences should convey your meaning without ambiguity, redundancy, or complexity. To achieve this, you should use simple and precise words, avoid passive voice and nominalizations, use active verbs and modifiers, and vary your sentence length and structure. For example, instead of writing "The implementation of the proposed waste management strategy is expected to result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 25%", you could write "The proposed waste management strategy will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25%".

4 Use visuals and tables

The fourth step to make your report actionable is to use visuals and tables to supplement and enhance your text. Visuals and tables can help you present complex or large amounts of data in a more accessible and engaging way. They can also help you emphasize key findings, trends, or patterns that support your arguments or recommendations. However, you should not use visuals and tables for the sake of decoration or filler. You should only use them when they add value or clarity to your message. You should also label them properly, explain them in your text, and cite their sources if applicable.

5 Provide actionable recommendations

The fifth step to make your report actionable is to provide actionable recommendations. Your recommendations should be based on your conclusions and aligned with your purpose. They should also be specific, realistic, and measurable, meaning that they should state what actions should be taken, by whom, when, and how. You should also explain why your recommendations are relevant, feasible, and beneficial, and what are the potential outcomes or impacts of following or ignoring them. For example, instead of writing "The client should consider adopting a more sustainable waste management strategy", you could write "The client should implement the proposed waste management strategy within six months to save costs, reduce environmental impacts, and comply with regulations".

6 Proofread and edit your report

The sixth and final step to make your report actionable is to proofread and edit your report. No matter how good your content and structure are, your report will lose credibility and effectiveness if it contains errors, inconsistencies, or gaps. Therefore, you should check your report for spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and referencing mistakes. You should also review your report for clarity, coherence, and completeness, and make sure that your report meets the requirements and expectations of your audience and purpose. You may also want to ask someone else to read your report and give you feedback or suggestions for improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?