Free, editable, no email gate. The one-page executive summary template I use to brief Fortune and FTSE boards, written for any business document: board paper, investor pitch, project status, business plan or proposal.

Download: PDF version or Word version.

What's in the executive summary template

The template is one A4 page with five sections, each pre-filled with helper notes and worked examples drawn from real board decisions. The structure is the same one used by McKinsey, BCG and senior in-house strategy teams.

The five sections:

  • Headline — the recommendation or decision in one sentence, lead with the outcome and a number.
  • Why it matters — the single reason this is on the table, framed for the reader not the writer.
  • Evidence — the two or three numbers that make the recommendation credible.
  • Risks and trade-offs — front-loaded so the reader sees them before deciding.
  • Action required — what you need, by when, from whom.

Total length, when filled, lands between 250 and 500 words. That's the right length for any business document, including a 50-page board paper. If your executive summary runs longer than that, you have not finished thinking.

Who the template is for

CEOs and senior leaders briefing boards on capital allocation, M&A or strategic pivots. Founders pitching to investors who will not read past page one. Project leads writing status updates that need to land. MBAs writing business plans where the executive summary is the only page anyone reads. Consultants whose clients judge them on the summary, not the deck.

How to write an executive summary using this template

Open the template after you have written the full document. Fill in each section in order, replacing the placeholder examples with your own specifics. Cut anything generic. Read the finished summary aloud and ask 'so what?' after every sentence. If you cannot answer, delete that sentence. The full executive summary guide walks through every step with before-and-after examples, common mistakes and a six-step writing method.

Download the template

Both formats are free, no signup. PDF (4 KB) for print or screen. Word (37 KB) if you want to edit it directly. They're identical apart from the file format.

If you want the deeper craft behind the template, including how to handle technical content, how to vary the summary for different audiences and a worked before-and-after that takes a 320-word draft down to a 168-word version, read the ultimate guide to writing executive summaries.