7 Group content

The STRUCTURE group of rules concerns properly grouped content which not only applies to reports and presentations, but to all forms of lists, hierarchies, and structures as well.
Good structure requires homogeneous and mutually exclusive elements on one level in an outline and exhaustive coverage of a point on a higher level by the sum of all the elements beneath it.

7.1 Homogeneous

Use homogeneous elements: Similar structures
Lists and structural levels should contain homogeneous elements; this is not the case, for example, for the terms Turnover, Costs, Sales, and Result. Rule 7.1.2 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...

7.2 Mutually exclusive

Structure without overlap: Mutually exclusive structures

Structures are hard to understand when their elements overlap on one level as is the case, for example, with the three bullet points Project Objectives, Project Requirements, and Project Results. Rule 7.2.2 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...

7.3 Exhaustive

Build complete listings: Exhaustive structures

First when all aspects of a superordinate topic are covered by the bullet points beneath it is an outline considered to be exhaustive. Breaking down Central Europe into Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium is not exhaustive. Rule 7.3.2 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...

7.4 Structured

Structure applications: Reports and presentations

Reports and presentations should be given a hierarchical structure whenever possible, which means faster comprehension and easier searching. Rule 7.4.6 is shown on the left as an illustration. More...