Executive Summary
Write concise executive summaries for reports, proposals, or presentations that busy leaders can quickly digest.
Prompt
Create an executive summary for [document type: report/proposal/analysis/presentation]. Include:
1. Context (1-2 sentences)
- What is this document about?
- Why does it exist?
- What prompted this work?
2. The "So What?" (2-3 sentences)
- Bottom line upfront
- Why this matters to the business
- Impact if we do nothing vs if we act
3. Key Findings or Recommendations (3-5 bullets)
- Most important insights
- Critical data points
- Core recommendations
- Prioritized by impact
4. Decision or Action Needed (1-2 sentences)
- What you're asking for
- Decision needed by when
- Who needs to decide or act
5. Next Steps (2-3 bullets)
- Immediate actions
- Timeline
- Owners
6. Appendix Reference (1 sentence)
- Where to find supporting details
- Key sections to review for deep dive
**Guidelines:**
- Total length: 1 page maximum (300-400 words)
- Use clear, simple language (no jargon)
- Lead with conclusions, not methodology
- Make it readable in 2-3 minutes
- Assume reader won't read the full document
- Include only need-to-know information
- Use active voice
- Quantify when possible
**Format Options:**
**Option 1: Standard Format**
[Context paragraph]
[Key findings bullets]
[Recommendation]
[Decision needed]
[Next steps]
**Option 2: Narrative Format**
Write as flowing narrative with clear sections and headers
**Option 3: Visual Format**
- Use sections with icons/emojis
- Highlight key numbers
- Scannable structure
Format as a clear, concise executive summary that a busy executive can read in under 3 minutes.How to use
- 1Replace [document type] with what you're summarizing. Example: "Q4 product performance report" or "AI feature proposal"
- 2Provide key information: Share the most important points. Say "Key findings: Usage up 50%, churn down 20%, launched 3 features, users want X"
- 3Define the ask: What decision do you need? Say "Decision needed: Approve $500K budget for AI development"
- 4Set context: Why now? Say "Context: Competitor just launched similar feature, we're getting customer requests"
- 5Paste the prompt into your preferred AI tool, like ChatGPT or Claude
- 6Review for clarity: Can someone understand it without reading the full document?
- 7Edit ruthlessly: Cut anything not essential
- 8Put at the front: Executive summary always goes first, before the full document
Pro Tips
- • Start with the punchline: Don't save conclusions for the end
- • One page max: If it's longer than one page, it's not a summary
- • Write it last: Summarize after you finish the full document
- • Remove jargon: Assume reader isn't deep in the details
- • Use numbers: Quantify impact whenever possible
- • Make it actionable: Always end with clear next steps
- • Test on someone busy: If they can't get it in 2 minutes, revise
