An executive summary can be used for any situation where you need to quickly and efficiently convey information about a complex topic to a reader.Īn executive summary can be used in conjunction with an application form, proposal or business plan to give the reader a quick overview of what is contained within the document without having to read the entire document. Many people believe that an executive summary is only necessary when seeking funding for a business venture, but this is not the case. It succinctly outlines the key points of the document while providing enough detail to give the reader a good understanding of what the document contains. An executive summary is a brief, but thorough, overview of a business plan or proposal.