Final Written Report Guidelines
CEVE 421/521 Final Project
This content is under development and subject to change.
Overview
Due: Finals Period (date TBD)
The Written Report is the capstone of your audit project. It synthesizes your three memos and incorporates feedback from your Executive Briefing into a polished final deliverable.
Requirements
Submit a 5-7 page report (PDF, excluding references) containing:
1. Executive Summary (1 page max)
A standalone summary that a busy decision-maker could read in 5 minutes:
- What plan was audited?
- What are the key findings?
- What is your recommendation?
2. Introduction (0.5-1 page)
- Context: What is the plan? Who commissioned it?
- Scope: What aspects did you audit?
- Approach: How did you conduct the audit?
3. Decision Framework Analysis (1-1.5 pages)
Synthesize and expand on Memo 1:
- Key Levers and their ranges
- Key Metrics and their definitions
- Assessment of framework completeness
- Incorporate any feedback from presentation Q&A
4. Evidence Base Analysis (1-1.5 pages)
Synthesize and expand on Memo 2:
- Valuation methods and their appropriateness
- System models and their assumptions
- Assessment of evidence quality
- Incorporate any feedback from presentation Q&A
5. Robustness Analysis (1-1.5 pages)
Synthesize and expand on Memo 3:
- Uncertainties and how they’re treated
- Robustness assessment
- Vulnerabilities and blind spots
- Incorporate any feedback from presentation Q&A
6. Recommendation (0.5-1 page)
Your final verdict with specific, actionable guidance:
- Endorse / Modify / Reject (with clear justification)
- Specific recommendations for improvement (if Modify)
- Alternative approaches (if Reject)
7. References
Cite all sources using a consistent format (APA, Chicago, etc.)
Formatting Requirements
- Length: 5-7 pages (excluding references)
- Font: 11pt or larger
- Margins: 1 inch
- Spacing: Single or 1.5 spacing
- Format: PDF
What’s New vs. Memos
The report is not just your three memos stapled together. You should:
- Synthesize: Draw connections across the three analyses
- Incorporate Feedback: Address questions raised during your presentation
- Refine: Improve clarity and depth based on instructor feedback on memos
- Polish: Professional writing and formatting
Submission
Submit your report as a PDF to Canvas by 11:59 PM on the due date.
Grading Rubric
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Executive Summary (clear, standalone) | 10 |
| Decision Framework Analysis (depth, accuracy) | 20 |
| Evidence Base Analysis (depth, accuracy) | 20 |
| Robustness Analysis (depth, accuracy) | 20 |
| Recommendation (justified, specific) | 15 |
| Writing Quality (clarity, organization) | 10 |
| Formatting and References | 5 |
| Total | 100 |