An executive summary is a concise statement of the unique solution you have developed to a big problem. It is a recommendation that you want an executive to read. Usually it is the best-written and most polished piece of a much longer document. This is because many readers (usually executives) may only look at the executive summary when deciding whether or not to read the entire document. In some companies, the executive summaries are distributed so that employees are informed as to what information is available, and interested readers may request the entire document.

As your final project you are to think of an original problem that you could solve using a MIS. Try to think of a problem you have and a system that you could implement (“If only you ruled the world! If only!”). Please note an inventory system may solve a problem but it isn’t original. You want to think of an original problem and solution, you don’t have to know or explain the specific “how to” at this stage.

You do not have to go into great detail about specific technologies or costs. Your executive summary will be no longer than 2 pages. In it you must describe these 8 factors:

1. The Problem: What is it that this MIS system is going to fix? Who has the problem?

2. The Need: Who will this MIS system help and why?

3. The Company: What is the company where this MIS system going to be? What is the industry this company participates in? Who does this company compete with? Does this new system fit with the company’s mission statement?

4. The Solution: How is it going to fix the problem? What are you going to do deliver to fix the problem? How is this solution going to set you apart from the competition?

5. The Market: Who will this affect? Is there a market for this? Can this system possible be sold to another market for a similar purpose?

6. The Competition: Who are your competitors? Do they have a similar system? Will this help your ROI?

7. The Technology and Delivery: What is the technology you will need? How will it be delivered? Who will be using it?

8. The People and the Plan: Who is going to execute the plan and why should we put our faith in them? How long will this system take before it is fully operational? Can it be phased in?

Include any other categories and information that would make an executive want to implement your plan!