The complexity of many reports and the amount of work involved put a premium on carefully analyzing the situation before you begin to write. Pay special attention to your statement of purpose, which explains why you are preparing the report and what you plan to deliver in the report. Using an infinitive phrase (to plus a verb) encourages you to take control and decide where you're going before you begin. When you choose an infinitive phrase (to inform, to confirm, to analyze, to persuade, to recommend), you pin down your general goal in preparing the report. In addition to considering your purpose carefully, you will also want to prepare a work plan for most reports and proposals in order to make the best use of your time. For simpler reports, the work plan can be an informal list of tasks and a simple schedule. However, if you’re preparing a lengthy report, particularly when you’re collaborating with others, you’ll want to develop a more detailed work plan.