A factsheet or fact sheet, also called fact file, is a single-page
document
A document is a writing, written, drawing, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of nonfiction, non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin ', which denotes ...
containing essential information about a
product,
substance,
service or other topic. Factsheets are frequently used to provide information to an
end user
In product development, an end user (sometimes end-user) is a person who ultimately uses or is intended to ultimately use a product. The end user stands in contrast to users who support or maintain the product, such as sysops, system administrato ...
,
consumer
A consumer is a person or a group who intends to order, or use purchased goods, products, or services primarily for personal, social, family, household and similar needs, who is not directly related to entrepreneurial or business activities. ...
or member of the public in concise, simple language. They generally contain key safety points, operating instructions or basic information about a topic depending on the purpose of the fact sheet.
Typical contents
Factsheets frequently make use of elements such as lists,
tables and
diagram
A diagram is a symbolic Depiction, representation of information using Visualization (graphics), visualization techniques. Diagrams have been used since prehistoric times on Cave painting, walls of caves, but became more prevalent during the Age o ...
s to convey meaning quickly and effectively. The language and content of a factsheet depend on its
target audience
The target audience is the intended audience or readership of a publication, advertisement, or other message catered specifically to the previously intended audience. In marketing and advertising, the target audience is a particular group of cons ...
; a factsheet aimed at professional engineers may use more technical language than one aimed at an end-user.
History
Factsheets were traditionally printed and physically distributed, often included in the packaging of a product. Many manufacturers now provide digital factsheets as well as or instead of paper-and-ink documents.
Examples
*The
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a list of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Gen ...
provides fact sheets on wide range of health issues
* The US
National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides planetary fact sheets.
* The US conservation organization
Defenders of Wildlife provides fact sheets about animals.
*
The World Factbook
''The World Factbook'', also known as the ''CIA World Factbook'', is a Reference work, reference resource produced by the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. The off ...
, a collection from the US
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA; ) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States tasked with advancing national security through collecting and analyzing intelligence from around the world and ...
of tabular factsheets on various countries.
* The
Federal Republic of Germany has published a fact sheet on the unique dual vocational training system.
[{{cite web , url=https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Downloads/F/Faktenblaetter/fact-sheet-duale-ausbildung.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=55 , title=Fact-sheet Duale Ausbildung , language=de , website=bmwi.de]
See also
*
Brochure
A brochure is an promotional document primarily used to introduce a company, organization, products, or services and inform prospective customers or members of the public of the benefits. Although, initially, a paper document that can be folded ...
*
Executive summary
An executive summary (or management summary, sometimes also called speed read) is a short document or section of a document produced for business purposes. It summarizes a longer report or proposal or a group of related reports in such a way that ...
*
Infobox
An infobox is a digital or physical Table (information), table used to collect and present a subset of information about its subject, such as a document. It is a structured document containing a set of attribute–value pairs, and in Wikipedia r ...
*
Infographic
*
One sheet
In the entertainment industry, a one sheet (or one-sheet) is a single document that summarizes a product for publicity and sales.
*
Press release
*
Public relations
Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing and disseminating information from an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) to the public in order to influence their perception. Pu ...
References
Data publishing
Information
Technical communication
News media
Publishing