Characteristics of technical report writing

A technical report is a formal document that records the facts, calculations, findings and recommendations of a technical work, so that a decision-maker can act on it. For a project (estimate) report, the main characteristics are:

1. Accuracy: facts, quantities, rates and calculations are correct and checked.
2. Clarity and simplicity: plain language, short sentences, defined technical terms, tables and figures instead of long text.
3. Conciseness and completeness: only the necessary information, but nothing important is missing (scope, data, method, results).
4. Logical organisation: standard order - title page, summary, introduction, data and method, results, discussion/abstract of cost, conclusions and recommendations, appendices.
5. Objectivity: based on facts and measurement, not opinion or bias.
6. Audience orientation: matched to the reader (owner, engineer, financing agency, approving authority).
7. Proper presentation: numbered headings, tables, drawings, references and units, consistent format.
8. Documentation: source of data, standards (NBC, DUDBC norms, NRS), assumptions and calculations are listed.
9. Usefulness: gives clear conclusions and recommendations for approval, tendering and construction.