How do I write an analysis of an obvious problem?

[Ry]

So I'm in this corporate environment, and I need to figure something out.

Basically, there's something the computers don't do for our accounting. I have to do an analysis of what those things are to be submitted to senior managementl.

But I can list them, and the list is about 10 items long. I can't figure out how to turn this into a 8-10 page analysis, because I want to just say "Hey, look at those THINGs!"

Any ideas?

 

[krunchyfrogg]

How's your relationship with your senior manager? You could try just telling him/her about it before writing a report.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

You start with a statement of the problem on page one. Insert a page break. On page two, give a section heading titled with the first item on your list, then type 3/4 of a page of gibberish, followed by section two with the second item. Repeat until you complete all 10 items. On the last page list the 10 items as a Final Summary. The odds are they will only look at the first and last pages and you'll look like you wrote this wonderful report.

And if they read it and you lose your job, I'm not responsible

Seriously though, are they looking just for a list or are they looking for what isn't done, why it isn't done, whether it can be done and what the cost and savings would be to change it and what the risks are to the current method versus changing it? Not knowing any details, that is the sort of thing I would be looking for.

 

[Ry]

You know, as soon as I started trying to figure out how to explain it to you guys, I realized what I needed to do. Thanks!

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

No problem. You'll be getting our consulting invoice within the next two weeks.

 

[Joker]

Did I hear the giving the money?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

In my experience, most people (especially those higher up the food chain) don't read documents more than 2 pages long. Whatever you ended up writing, I hope that it was short.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Ry]

In my experience, most people (especially those higher up the food chain) don't read documents more than 2 pages long. Whatever you ended up writing, I hope that it was short.

Olaf the Stout

It'll be 6 pages, but Page 2 and 3 are mostly diagrams =)

 

[nerfherder]

You know, as soon as I started trying to figure out how to explain it to you guys, I realized what I needed to do. Thanks!

Ha! I do that all the time at work. I describe a problem to a colleague and before I even get to the point of asking his opinion I realise what I need to do.

 

[green slime]

It is always appreciated by management, if you produce something that can be shown to not only have a technical benefit, but an economic benefit as well.

That always grabs their attention.