The Right Type of Data Reporting (+ 11 Types of Reports)

Types of reports include memos, meeting minutes, expense reports, audit reports, closure reports, progress reports, justification reports, compliance reports, annual reports, and feasibility reports.

You can classify reports in different categories in various ways such as action, formality, and length, and some of them may overlap the classification structure.

Different Types of Reports in Various Categories 

1. Long Report and Short Reports 

Long reports are longer than ten pages and are typically formal reports. While shorts reports are less than ten pages, and mostly informal reports are shorter reports.

2. Internal and External Reports

Internal reports usually travel within the organization, while external reports are for outside-of-organization use. Internal reports may touch upon different topics, be it work optimization by using innovative time management software.

3. Vertical and Lateral Reports

Vertical type of reports represents the direction of a report. Reports which go upward or downward in the hierarchy are referred to as vertical reports. 

Lateral report travels between the same organization level, such as the accounting department and finance department, and helps correlate work in a company.

4. Periodic Reports

Periodic reports are reported periodically and at regular intervals. These types of reports are typically vertical reports to check overall business activities or reports written by federal agencies, corporations, non-profits. Periodic reports include incident reports, sales reports, feasibility reports, and progress reports.

What Are the Different Types of Business Reports

Reports are a vital part of any business organization; businesses monitor their progress and make critical decisions based on these reports.

In Business reports, you analyze a situation, evaluate the success or the problems, and provide suggestions to fix the issues. A business report includes facts and figures, and usually, there is not one but many solutions for a problem with their own cost and benefits. Therefore, you can keep on top of your business affairs, whether you are reaching your goals or not, and plan accordingly.

Moreover, a formal business report is written for a specific audience; it could be the CEO or the head of the organization. Additionally, informal reports are for internal use and staff members. There are different types of business reports; some are formal and some informal reports. Business report examples include analytical reports, informational reports, inventory reports, marketing reports, statutory reports, non-statutory reports, annual reports, and general or confidential reports.

5. Statutory reports

Statutory reports are mandatory reports, and companies are required by law to submit financial information to specific government agencies. Statutory reports have to be prepared according to the structure and rules that are already defined for these types of reports.

6. Non-statutory reports

Non-statutory reports are not required to be submitted by law. These are either formal reports submitted to the higher-up in rank or informal ones for administrative use.

7. General or Confidential reports

Business reports can either be general or confidential. A general report is for the inside of an organization's use or press or public. A confidential report is not for many people and is reserved for some important figures in the organization.

8. Annual Report

Annual reports, as the name suggests, are yearly reports. The report is based on yearly data, sales, and profit. An annual report is submitted at the end of every year for the decision-makers to study and plan accordingly.

9. Informal reports

An informal report is shorter and written approximately in one to ten pages. These types of reports are natural and casual in style and do not require a lot of planning. Informal reports are mostly internal and used to report inside of a business organization. Informal reports examples include memorandum and letters.

What Are the Formal Reports and Their Types?

A formal report is more prolonged and requires in-depth research; it is written for a decision-making audience or another organization. A formal report is written after careful planning and data gathering; moreover, the reports are written using an impersonal writing style.

10. Informational reports

Informational reports provide information, facts, and data without evaluation and recommendation and without giving a conclusion. Informational reports can be formal or informal, and the report examples include meeting minutes, expense reports, and progress reports.

11. Analytical reports

The analytical report provides the same information as informational but also include analyses of the problems and provide possible solutions. Analytical reports can also be formal or informal, and examples include annual reports, audit reports, feasibility reports, justification reports, and closure reports.

What Are the Different Types of Technical Reports

Technical reports communicate technical information and explain processes and progress. Furthermore, it could also be the result of scientific and technological research. The types of technical reports include feasibility reports, business plans, research reports, and scientific research.