What is a Committee Report?

A committee report is a formal document that details the findings and recommendations of a specific committee. It is written after thorough research and discussion and is a key tool for making informed decisions.

Generally, committee reports are used to:

• Summarize the committee’s work
• Present evidence and analysis
• Offer proposed actions or solutions

These reports play a crucial role in shaping policies, laws, and organizational strategies. 

Types of Committee Reports

Committee reports are structured documents ranging from annual or quarterly updates to reports on specific investigations or new initiatives. The most common types are: 

• Status update reports: This type of report gives information on where the committee is progressing on the issue raised typically during a board meeting. This could be a request for a deadline extension or additional funding.
• Investigative reports: These are documents that establish the facts of allegations or anything related to the investigation.
• Review reports: This reviews and assesses earlier resolutions and their results.
• Recommendation reports: This type urges action in some areas of concern for the board. 

What should be in a committee report?

To draft an effective committee report, it should have the following key components: 

• Purpose: This section responds to the issues regarding the whats and whys. What concerns are being raised, what questions does it aim to address, and why are they important?
• Methodology: Describes how the committee carried out its work, together with the procedures used for gathering information, for example, public hearings, expert testimony, surveys, or research.
• Findings: Often the most extensive section of the report, this part presents the key findings and conclusions from the committee’s research and investigations.
• Recommendations: These are the suggested actions, changes, or measures that the committee feels should be adopted following the findings of the report.

How to Write a Committee Report

A good committee report is made out of careful planning and a whole lot of research. Here is a general guide for writing one:

• Prepare and research
  • The first step is to make sure that the committee has carried out all relevant investigative work and has reviewed any data, witnesses, or documents that can be useful in the preparation of the report.
• Organize the report
  • Be organized in preparing the report so that readers can understand the argument and the findings without much difficulty.
• Write the introduction
  • Here, indicate the problem that the report will attempt to solve, the goals of the committee, and the circumstances that brought up the problem. Keep this section concise but informative.
• Present the findings
  • Ensure that the findings are presented reasonably, logically, and just. The conclusions should be supported by such evidence, including data, facts, as well as views of experts or witnesses.
• Make recommendations
  • From the analysis of the findings, detail the necessary actions and steps for implementation. Such recommendations must be specific, practical, and attainable. Make it clear what the effect would be after they have been implemented and ensure that there is a connection with the findings.
• Conclude and summarize
  • Summarize in a few words the major aspects of the report, including stating the committee’s position on the matter at hand, the way forward, and any additional recommendations that must be made.
• Review the report
  • Once the report has been drafted, it is important to carefully review and revise it to ensure it is understandable, cohesive, and accurate. Confirm that all parts have been covered and that the report flows smoothly and logically from one section to another. 
• Add appendices
  • Attach the additional materials that explain the report results, such as diagrams, photos, or other sources. Make it a point to refer to each appendix in the text of the report, and make sure it is clearly labeled for easy reference.