Reports are still a big part of processes for a reason; as one of the best ways to go if you want to comprehensively document and communicate information. Perhaps because of this, writing any report can be tedious and honestly, it’s a good idea to get as much help as you can.
Luckily, apps can be particularly helpful. So before you think about things like wire-o bound printing and chapter titles for your report, here are 3 kinds of apps to consider for the writing process.
Collaboration Apps
Chances are that a report isn’t being written with no input from others and so one of the first things to do is to make it as simple as possible to work together seamlessly with others.
So think about what your team needs for collaboration. Maybe it’s editing at the same time, leaving comments, and keeping track of versions so that if your project involves a lot of quick back-and-forths, you really want an app that offers real-time editing.
Next, you don’t want you or your team to have to spend valuable time figuring out how an app works, so it’s best to opt for something with a user-friendly interface. It’s the same with integration – how well will an app fit with other apps? You want an app that’s a plus for overall workflow efficiency.
Organization Apps
When it comes to writing a report, you’re sure to be doing a fair bit of organizing, primarily your research and sources. So it’s a good thing there are apps that can help.
First off, think about the kinds of sources you’re going to use in your report – articles, books, web pages – then choose an app that can handle all these different sources effectively. Of course, you also want to look at how well an app manages citations. For example, does it make it easy to generate citations in different styles so that everything is consistent in your report?
Data Visualization Apps
Again, chances are your report is going to include data and because of that picking the right data visualization tool is a big deal if your reports are going to be clear and engaging.
So, what kind of data is it exactly – numbers, categories, trends, comparisons? Understanding data characteristics is how you’ll find an app that really fits for visualizing your specific data. Also, it’s a good idea to consider how much you can customize visuals in the tools you’re checking out. Being able to tweak charts and graphs can mean the difference between showcasing your data insights effectively and subpar work.
Writing a report doesn’t have to be so incredibly tedious. In fact, with the right apps, it could even be an easy, team-building experience just as long as you factor in the right things and pick the apps that will help you get the job done.