THE ART OF WRITING BRIEFING NOTES (G040)

Complete List > The Art of Writing Briefing Notes

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

The briefing note is a key communication and decision-making tool in government and other organizations. While its purpose may be to assist in making a decision, to explore and define an issue or to consider a course of action, the briefing note must efficiently provide relevant content in a concise, clear format optimally useful to the person who needs to be informed. Bombarded with ever-increasing amounts of information, decision-makers require and insist upon only what's important and the ability to respond is a key skill.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

Using specific case studies based on real issues:

• The definition, purpose, approach and structure of a briefing
• How to define and express the "issue"
• How to develop "considerations"
• How to analyze, synthesize and summarize information
• How to present information both verbally and in written form in a clear, concise and pertinent manner
• How to write briefing notes that meet departmental requirements

WHAT WILL YOU TAKE AWAY?

• Workbook with checklists and templates
• Exercise handouts, examples and other material
• List of common grammatical, spelling and stylistic mistakes

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMPETENCY

• Thinking Things Through: Innovating through analysis and ideas
• http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tal/kcl/ekl-eng.asp

Agenda
8:30 - 8:45	Introductions and Workshop Overview
8:45 - 9:45	Writing the Briefing Note The definition, purpose, structure and method of writing briefing notes. Ensuring a note provides the recipient with accurate, concise information and advice about a need-to-know issue or situation under specific headings - subject, issue, background, current status, considerations and recommendation(s).(Note: if the department wishes, the 'summary box' approach is also taught). How to summarize and condense information and identify key ideas - important first steps in the writing of good notes - by the art of writing a précis.
9:45 - 10:15	Précis Writing Participants will reduce a paragraph to one-third its original length. Volunteers then present their versions. Instructor-led general discussion on methods of identifying and summarizing key ideas in the paragraph.
10:15 - 10:30	Break
10:30 - 11:30	Developing the Briefing Note Participants read a scenario and accompanying background information on a particular issue in order to determine how it would be handled in a briefing note. Participants discuss their views on the subject, issue, key considerations and recommendation of the note.
11:30 - 12:30	Issues and Considerations Recap of principles and practices in crafting the issues and considerations sections of the briefing note.Participants will be provided with case studies and asked to define the issue, as well as outline the considerations in each one.
12:30 - 13:30	Lunch
13:30 - 15:30	Attacking the Issue and Preparing the Briefing Note Recap of the key points in idenfifying, analyzing the issue and preparing an appropriate briefing note for the decision-maker. Participants in small groups will prepare (on flip charts) briefing notes about an issue, using a particular case study and packages of information provided in advance.
15:30 - 15:45	Break
15:45 - 16:15	Briefing Note Group Presentations Each group will present its completed note. Instructor-led group discussion on each section of the note and lessons learned.
16:15 - 16:30	Wrap-up and Workshop Evaluation Instructor sums up the key points and participants will complete a short evaluation.

All information is copyright © The Centre for Excellence in Communications (CEC) 2012.