Policy Brief

Write a brief that lets a busy decision-maker understand a problem and choose an action in a few minutes. Concise, evidence-based, and honest about trade-offs.

1. Know the audience and decision

Identify who decides and what decision they face. A brief exists to inform a specific choice, not to be a literature review. Tailor depth and jargon accordingly.

2. Structure (standard format)

1. Title + executive summary: the problem and your recommendation in 3-4 sentences.

Many readers read only this — make it stand alone.

1. Problem statement: what is wrong, who is affected, why it matters now, and the

cost of inaction. Quantify where possible.

1. Background/context: the minimum needed to understand the problem.
2. Evidence: what the data and research show. Cite primary sources. Present evidence

on all sides, not just the convenient findings.

1. Policy options: 2-4 realistic options including status quo. For each: how it

works, expected impact, cost, feasibility, and key trade-offs.

1. Recommendation: the preferred option and the reasoning. State assumptions and

conditions.

1. Implementation: concrete first steps, owners, and timeline.

3. Make evidence rigorous

• Cite credible, primary sources; note the strength and limitations of each.
• Distinguish strong causal evidence from correlation or expert opinion.
• Acknowledge uncertainty and dissenting evidence — credibility depends on it.

4. Compare options fairly

Use consistent criteria across options (effectiveness, cost, equity, feasibility, time-to-impact). A comparison table helps. Do not strawman the options you reject.

5. Write for clarity

• Lead with the conclusion (BLUF: bottom line up front).
• Short sentences, active voice, no unexplained jargon or acronyms.
• One to four pages. If it is longer, it is a report, not a brief.
• Use headings, bold key points, and visuals where they aid comprehension.

Guardrails

• Be transparent about evidence quality and uncertainty — do not overclaim.
• Present trade-offs honestly; every option has costs.
• Separate evidence (what is) from values (what should be) and label normative choices.
• Disclose assumptions; a recommendation is only as good as what it rests on.