“Better Briefings” Workshops and eLearning Solutions.
For the professional policy analyst, their skills in writing briefing notes are usually accumulated through a mixture of innate ability, workplace learning and practice. In rare cases will their educational background have prepared them for the task of writing concise summary documents that communicate policy analysis into usable decision-support briefing notes, or for enhancing those documents with dynamic presentations.
Our survey of professional education opportunities for the aspiring briefing note writer, or the practicing professional wishing to expand their skills, find that such courses and workshops usually fall into one of two categories: workshops on how to write with dynamic impact generally; and courses centred on a particular format for briefings without reference to an underlying theory of the briefing process.
The approach adopted at eBriefings.ca is based on years of research into policy analysis systems, briefing process dynamics and the needs of executive decision-makers. Unique in the realm of briefing note instruction, we take a theory-based approach to instructional design based on three foundations:
* Writing effective briefing notes, and delivering effective briefings, is directly linked to the task of policy analysis and the determination of what information is relevant, salient and legitimate.
* The frame of reference for the policy analyst should be to attempt to persuade their reader. By adopting this persuasion perspective, the analyst can most effectively assembled a cogent argument and best serve the interests of their client.
* Persuasion requires the writer to understand the skills involved in audience analysis and rhetoric, to actively engage in the analysis, and to be given the professional latitude to do so.
In this practical workshop, policy analysts will develop the confidence and skills to write better, more persuasive, briefing notes. Workshops are designed as half-day and full day versions. eLearning solutions for remote delivery of workshop content, and for post-workshop follow up, are currently under development. The workshop leader has extensive experience in dynamic instructional delivery.
For more information on the eBriefings.ca “Better Briefings” Workshop offerings, please consult the attached brochure. For those interested in making the transition to the Web2.0 approach to policy analysis, please see our syllabus for our PolicyWiki Workshops.
