How To Write an Executive Summary (With Example)

Updated July 21, 2023

An executive summary is a section of a larger document that summarizes the main points so readers can quickly familiarize themselves with the material. This can be a useful feature in a lengthy business document or one that many people are likely to review. Learning how to create a great executive summary is a writing skill that may be useful throughout your education and career. In this article, we discuss the importance of this type of writing, explain what to include in one, describe how to write an executive summary, provide a template and example and list tips to improve your understanding.

Why is an executive summary important?

A strong summary can:

Help grab the attention of the reader and encourage them to read the rest of the document
Provide a summary for those unable to read the entire document
Offer necessary information to stakeholders to prepare for any subsequent meetings or action items related to the document

Executive summaries may be particularly important when trying to appeal to investors or generate awareness about a business, product or service. In some of these situations, the executive summary may be the only component of your document that decision-makers read.This means that a well-written executive summary can have a major impact on investor decisions. Other types of reports that might benefit from an executive summary for similar reasons include:

Business plans
Project proposals or plans
Research reports
School reports
Environmental studies
Market surveys

What to include in an executive summary

An executive summary may include a brief review of the document's main topics. This portion of the document is a summary, so this summary can be brief and focus on the key details. The general rule is to keep your summary around two pages or less.
Key elements include:

Brief statement of what it covers, such as a problem the business is facing or a specific proposal being made
Concise analysis of the issue
Necessary background information that the reader should know
Conclusions from the author

How to write an executive summary

Here are several general steps to consider when writing an executive summary:

1. Research effective executive summaries

Before you write your own executive summary, it may be helpful to review summaries written by others. This is especially true for those writing an executive summary for the first time. Research components of executive summaries and identify the components that are engaging or helpful to you. When you write your summary, you can include those components in a similar way.Related: Tips for Writing an Impressive Executive Summary

2. Reread your document

Before you can write an executive summary, you must have a complete document or proposal. Review the entire document to identify the main points, issues and recommendations. This can help you determine what to include in your executive summary so readers don't have to scour the document for the information.

3. Write the first paragraph

In your opening paragraph, state what you're presenting and why it matters to the reader. Here are some tips for doing so:

If you're summarizing a business plan, outline the business and its purpose so readers understand the purpose of the document.
List any challenges and how your plan might resolve those challenges.
Consider ways to blend informative writing with engaging details to compel your audience to continue reading.

4. Outline the rest of the summary

A clear outline may help you create a summary that's succinct and easy for readers to gain information from quickly. Consider using the following categories as your outline:

Description or summary of the company
Challenge that the document addresses
Solution to the problem
Urgency section, explaining why it's important for the reader to act quickly

Structure your outline so that your main points appear in the same order that they do in the document. Mark each new section with a headline. Consider adding bullet points beneath each headline, as this structural tool lets the reader look through the information quickly.Related: How To Write an Outline

5. Include financial elements

Including the financial details that relate to the idea or company can help provide important context for readers. You might include:

The valuation of the deal the document proposes
The value behind the company
Specific data points for reference

6. Create a strong closing

The final impression that the ending of your executive summary provides the reader may influence their opinion of the document. This makes it a valuable element of the summary. Consider ending with a final review of key details. You can also provide a call to action that provides actionable next steps for the reader. Related: How To Write a Conclusion (With Tips and Examples)

Executive summary template

Here's a template you can use for guidance when writing an executive summary: Introduction
[Mission]
[Vision]
[Company profile (with relevant history)]
[Company contact details]Products and services
[Description of products and/or services]
[Unique proposition]
[Competitive advantage]
[Intellectual property]
[Development status]Market analysis
[Market opportunity]
[Target market]
[Competitors]Financial analysis
[Budget]
[Funding needs]
[Potential price of goods]
[Projected profit margins for year one and two]Conclusions
[Summarize main points]

Download Executive Summary Template

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.Read more: Executive Summary: Definition and Writing Guide

Executive summary example

Here's an executive summary example you may refer to when writing your own:Our missionGladstone Foundries provides cutting-edge computer-assisted metalwork operations for the automotive industry. Our clients value us for being able to deliver millions of precision-made fasteners at short notice. Our team can ensure that customers get the best quality inputs for their manufacturing operations to ensure they meet the highest regulatory, technical and safety standards.The company and managementThe headquarters of Gladstone Foundries is in Detroit, Michigan. The company has a unique organizational structure that guarantees employees 49% equity in the company. The current CEO has 30 years experience working in the automotive manufacturing industry, while the General Manager is a 21-year veteran of the company.Our productsOur clients include, but are not limited to, automakers such as Stucker, GF, Tornado Autos and thousands of kit car and classic car enthusiasts throughout the continental United States and beyond. Gladstone Foundries offers a variety of products, including:

Rivets
Bolts
Nuts
Lugs
Wings
Trunk covers
Composite spoilers
Heady-duty brake pads and calipers

The marketWith the new drive to re-domesticate manufacturing in the United States, our company is primely positioned to benefit from unprecedented growth in the local automotive manufacturing industry and supporting sectors. Data from our market research shows that the demand for our products is may grow by over 35% in the next year and 50% in the next two years.Our competitive advantagesWe are an American company to the core and pride ourselves as the go-to foundry for precision-manufactured fasteners within a 500-mile radius. While there are currently five other businesses offering similar products in our vicinity, our company has the latest CNC and programmable lathe and milling machines in the industry. Our investment in cutting-edge precision tools, ability to handle large order volumes for multiple clients simultaneously and highly experienced staff set us apart as the favorite provider of fasteners for the automotive industry.Gladstone Foundries' marketing strategy relies on our pedigree and reputation for producing massive volumes of items at scale to the highest level of technical requirements. Automotive clients trust our bolts and nuts to support joints and hold surfaces together without breaking or failing under load. We have the best standardized regulatory practices in the industry and the most stringent workshop health and safety protocols.Financial projectionsBased on the size of our market, we forecast sales for the first year at $75 million. We project a growth rate of 15% per year for the first three years. While we already have 35 employees, the company plans to hire 15 additional staff to cater for the expected increase in orders.At present, we have over 30 clients with firm order commitments and have plans to increase our client base to over 50 through our professional networks and in-person outreach. We are confident in our ability to leverage our professional reputation and the quality of our products to increase orders within a short period.Workshop expansion financing requirementsWe are seeking an expansion fund of $12 million to expand our facility to better serve our customers and increase our share of new emerging markets. The company has already raised $10.5 million to install state-of-the-art fabrication equipment and staff training.We are confident that our technical expertise, flawless track record and exceptional ability to meet and exceed clients' expectations may help us maximize the benefits of this expansion.Related: How To Write an Executive Summary: Template and Tips

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Tips for writing an effective executive summary

Here are some tips you can use to create an effective executive summary:

Write for your audience

The person or people reading the executive summary, and potentially the longer document, is your audience. It may be helpful to consider the audience you write. Here are some elements you might adjust, depending on who you hope might read the summary:

Tone
Language
Pronoun use
Personalization
Reading level

While tone can vary, maintaining a professional tone is often beneficial.Related: Guide to Professionalism in the Workplace

Ask others to review the summary

After you complete your executive summary, consider asking a supervisor or mentor to review it before presenting it to stakeholders. You might also ask a trusted friend or colleague outside of your direct function to read your executive summary. If your reader can summarize what your company does or what your idea is after reading the executive summary, you probably have the right level of detail. Enlisting the help of someone outside the industry also helps you use clear, simple language rather than jargon that could potentially confuse a stakeholder.Related: Best Practices for a Peer Review at Work

Ask yourself contextual questions

When putting together your executive summary, it may help to ask certain guiding questions, including the following:

Do I have something new or unique to present?
Have I covered any unique partnerships I hold?
Do I have any traction and/or customers?
How am I presenting my plan to market my idea, product or service?

You can use your answers to guide your content.

Recognize your team

Every business has a team of people backing up the idea and doing the work to bring it to market. Consider crediting other team members in your executive summary. If you've any talent gaps that relate to the outcomes of the report's topic, briefly describe what team members you might want to bring on in the future and how they would benefit the business.