Free Executive Summary Template for Word

When you’re proposing a project or pitching a new business plan or investment proposal, you need several documents to back up your presentation, and this executive summary template can help. An executive summary is a short overview that gives the elevator pitch that sums up the major points of larger documents. Executive summaries are critical for getting projects approved and off the ground. Download the ProjectManager executive summary template for Word to have a dynamic executive summary.

What Is an Executive Summary Template?

An executive summary template is simply a document that outlines the key points of a successful executive summary. This free executive summary for Word has the basic elements of a project executive summary. It can be customized to include other areas depending on the specific needs of your project.

ProjectManager's free executive summary template for Word — ProjectManager’s free executive summary template for Word

When to Use This Executive Summary Template

You only have one chance to impress your sponsor or stakeholder. Chances are they’re not going to dig into the many supporting documents you have until you’ve sold them on the vision of the project.

It’s like a big show and your executive summary is the grand opening that grabs the audience’s attention and pulls them in. Once you’ve done that, they’re going to be more open to the prospect of green-lighting the project.

Who Should Use This Executive Summary Template?

This template can be used by anyone working on a project proposal, business plan, marketing plan, investment proposal or any other similar document that involves stakeholders or investors. This free executive summary template can help you better organize the key selling points of your project, business or investment so you can convince stakeholders of its value.

Why Use an Executive Summary Template?

With an executive summary template, you have a roadmap to make sure you’re engaging and offering the right amount of detail necessary to convince the sponsor or stakeholder that the project you’re proposing is worth their time and financial investment. An executive summary template is a way to hold your hand through the process of collecting those broad strokes you need to paint a winning picture.

Once you’ve used our project executive summary template, you’ll want to take it to the next level. ProjectManager has tools to add graphs and charts that are filtered to show only the needed information. If you’re interested in elevating your project management skills, read more and we’ll give you a special free trial to see how much more ProjectManager can do for you and your project.

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How to Write an Executive Summary

The goal of an executive summary is to provide a concise overview of a longer document to quickly convey key information. It should state the document’s purpose, highlight the main findings and recommendations, and summarize each section’s core points. To further support claims, emphasize key metrics and data and always close with a strong statement that reinforces the value proposition.

It’s important to understand the audience and tailor the content in the executive summary template accordingly. Strive to use clear, simple language and avoid jargon. Don’t include unnecessary details and structure the document so it’s easily readable, such as through bulleted or numbered lists.

How Long Should an Executive Summary Be?

An executive summary should ideally be no longer than 1-2 pages. Why is this the ideal length of an executive summary? Executives are busy so they need to be able to quickly understand the key information in the document without sifting through a long document. The document should focus on the essential information and critical points instead of every detail.

Internal audiences already familiar with the company and its processes might need a shorter summary while external audiences might need more background information. While there may be some exceptions for the executive summary length if the problem is particularly long and complex, it’s typically best to stick to the 1-2 page maximum.

How to Use This Free Executive Summary Template for Word

As stated above, the executive summary is a quick overview of the project, which is described in greater detail with the attached project plan. The ProjectManager executive summary template is a catchall for those general descriptions that will engage the target audience.

Our executive summary template Word document has a strong cover page to cover the main points.

Authorship: On top, there’s a box that captures pertinent information such as the name of your company, the project being proposed, who prepared the project executive summary template and how to reach that person.
Vision/Mission Statement: Underneath the heading on the cover page, you’ll want to grab their attention with more detailed info, so give them a snappy vision and mission statement. Keep it short and sweet.
Introduction: On this page, take the general and make it a bit more specific, explaining the investment opportunity and why the project will generate a return on investment.
Company’s Role and Strength: Explain why your company is uniquely positioned to take on the project with a brief history and list of skills and experience.
Need/Problem: Identify the need or problem the project is addressing. Be sure to explain the target audience and why they’ll benefit.
Unique Solution: Here’s your chance to show what your company can do and how the project exploits this need or problem for profit.
Proof: Even if you’re sincere, they won’t take you at your word, so list the supporting documents you’ve collected while researching and doing the due diligence.
Resources: List what resources are required to complete the project, from software and hardware to materials and equipment.
Return on Investment: Justify the project by showing how it’s worth the time, effort and financial investment.
Competition: Show that you’re aware of the existing landscape by noting your competition and why you’re different and positioned to succeed where they’re not.
Marketing Strategy: Note how you’ll develop a sales, marketing and partnership plan.
Budget: What is the expected financial commitment?
Timeline: How long do you believe the project will take? Break your project timeline into milestones, but not too much detail.
Team: Who do you need to complete the project? Summarize the team you envision, their experience and skillsets.
Conclusion: This is your last chance to make an impression, so wrap up with a strong summary of the importance of the project and your crucial part in it.

Examples of When to Use an Executive Summary Template

The executive summary template is highly versatile and can be used across industries. Here are some examples of when to use this template in different applications.

Marketing Executive Summary

Use an executive summary template to communicate key marketing strategies, plans or results to stakeholders. For example, it’s helpful when creating a comprehensive marketing plan as it notes the core strategies, target audience and key objectives. It can also be used in reporting marketing performance or when presenting marketing proposals.

Construction Executive Summary

A construction executive summary template can help in the proposal and bidding process to provide clients with a concise overview of the proposed project solutions from your firm. It can also summarize key milestones, progress and potential challenges, making it easier for executives to make informed decisions and address potential issues.

Manufacturing Executive Summary

In manufacturing, an executive summary template can communicate key information to both internal and external stakeholders. For example, it can outline a potential new project’s projected return on investment. When reporting on regulatory compliance in manufacturing, an executive summary also highlights key compliance measures and potential risks. New product launches can also benefit as this document outlines the product’s value proposition, target market and marketing strategy.

IT Executive Summary

Use an IT executive summary template to concisely communicate IT roadmaps, technology investments and digital transformation plans to leadership and key stakeholders. If there’s a new IT project, the executive summary is a helpful way to outline the project’s scope, objectives and anticipated benefits. It’s also the ideal way to outline the proposed IT budget to detail the proposed spending and the budget’s anticipated impact.

Professional Services Executive Summary

In professional services, an executive summary helps highlight a firm’s expertise, value proposition and proposed solutions when responding to requests for proposals. It can also improve project status reports, as it’s a streamlined way to summarize key milestones, progress and potential challenges.

What Other Free Project Management Templates Can Help You Write an Executive Summary?

ProjectManager is more than just the best project management tool available, it’s also a complete library of free project management templates, blogs, guides and eBooks to answer all your project management questions. Here are only some of them.

Business Case Template

Our free business case template helps project managers and business professionals explain to stakeholders and investors why their project or proposal is a sound investment.

Project Proposal Template

This project proposal template is a document that outlines a project plan and the benefits that it could bring to an organization. It’s a longer document that includes more information than an executive summary in case your stakeholders need more details.

Small Business Plan Template

This free small business plan template outlines the key points that any entrepreneur should include when first creating a business. It can be customized to add more details, depending on your business’s needs.

Executive Summary Template