Policy Brief Format  (6-8 pages)
Policy Analysis
Dr. Matthew Cahn
Department of Political Science &
Masters of Public Administration
California State University, Northridge

I.          EXECUTIVE SUMMARY   (1 page):

This should be on a separate page between the title page and the beginning of the brief itself.  Summarize the content of the entire brief in one page.  The summary should:

1)      state the problem or issue (RQ);
2)      give BRIEF background;
3)      identify major alternatives;
4)      state preferred alternative with BRIEF justification;

II.         INTRODUCTION and PROBLEM STATEMENT  (1 page)

This is the introduction to the Brief and the Policy Issue.  Identify with clarity and specificity the problem being addressed (the RQ), with a quick summary of the policy issues at stake and the primary options.  (Why is problem important?)

III.       BACKGROUND:  The History of the Issue and Its Context (2 pages)

Provide background for the question at hand.  Clients will be concerned with the substance of the debate, but they must also know something about the politics. In particular, they need to know what the goals and objectives are that the policy options are supposed to achieve.

IV.       ALTERNATIVE POLICY RESPONSES (2-3 pages)

Briefly discuss the alternative policy responses under consideration (at least 3). Examine what other agencies are doing, as well as policy proposals that are emerging.  The discussion of each option should be brief, balanced, and should reflect the evidence/ data indicating degree of potential utility.  Under what conditions are options likely to be most useful?

V.          RECOMMENDATION (1 page)

Close the brief with a recommendation that summarizes the preferred policy option.  Justify why this option is preferred over the others.  If the policy options are weighted and scored, identify the criteria used to score the options, and their order of priority.