Preparing report and Proposal

Part 1: Preparing Reports and Proposals

Your Portland Maine based company, Quick Heat, is growing more rapidly than anyone could have anticipated. The current 10,000 square foot facility is far too small to keep up with the demand for your Non-Vented Propane Room Heaters. Your heaters, it seems, have become popular in impoverished countries as a cheap, safe, heating alternative.

As a result, you must relocate to a facility with at least 30,000 square feet and be able to expand further if necessary. One priority is to remain in Maine.

You’ve been asked to investigate and write a formal report that discusses the pros and cons of 2 different locations and facilities that already exist. The 3rd option is to construct an entirely new building. Such an option would be ideal since you can build exactly what you want, but the 2 already existing locations would be far less expensive. (So, you’ll be reporting on 3 different options–2 buildings that are currently for sale, or lease and the 3rd option of building a new facility.)

This report will be submitted to the Board Members.

Your report is extensive, perhaps 50-75 pages with charts, graphs, numbers, data, locations, government and town regulations, codes, cost figures, desirability of location, specifics of the facilities, etc.

For this formal report, I want you to do everything except write the report.

You must include…

A Title Page with all of the appropriate info you deem important for such a title page.
An Abstract, or one-page summary, of what is covered in the report. Most likely you will have an introductory paragraph at the top outlining the specific purpose of the report, followed by 3 paragraphs (bulleted, subheading or?) each paragraph giving a summary of 1 of the 3 options for expansion, (2 current facilities and 1 new construction. The specifics of these 3 options will be the basis for the entire report [which you are not writing].)
In these 3 Abstract/summary paragraphs, you would still give some specific info. For example, something like this…
1. The Skowhegan location is a 35,000 square foot facility that will need approximately $1.5 million in renovations and upgrading before we can take ownership. That renovation will take approximately 9 months, which will strain our business to keep up with orders.
Another difficulty is the commute from Portland to Skowhegan. That drive is 1.5 hours so some may not want to locate to this more rural area. One benefit is that this facility, even with the $1.5 million renovation, will be about $1.75 million less than either of the other options.

Be specific on the location where you would build. Do some research. Where would you build? What would the land cost? The facility? (Rough estimates are fine, but should be reasonable.)

A Table of Contents, well formatted, giving page numbers of each section to be discussed.

A Table of Figures. List some appropriate charts and/or graphs that are included in the report, along with their page number.
Charts and graphs will be part of this report (which you do not have to provide or construct). Please include the page numbers and a quick description of at least 5 different charts/graphs that would be useful for this report. You’ll have to decide what type of chart or graph would be useful for providing some specific info for those reading this report. Obviously, the chart/graph should be on a page number that seems appropriate given the Table of Contents.

(The 75 page Report would go next, which you do not have to write.)

Analysis/Summary. Perhaps ½ to 1 page, single spaced. This could be in paragraph and bulleted form, and would review the main points and perhaps give some conclusions or even some recommendations.

Plus, this investigation is on-going, so you could mention other information which is being gathered at the moment.

This report is the first solid information the Board Members will receive. It will lead to more meetings and discussions. While you may give a recommendation in the Summary, everything could change in the future based on updated information.