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policy-memo

Write a decision-ready policy memo that frames an issue and recommends an option. Use when asked to write a policy memo, options paper, decision memo for a principal/minister/executive, or brief a decision-maker on a policy choice. Produces a tight memo: the issue, background, options with trade-offs, a clear recommendation, and implementation/risks — written for a busy decision-maker who reads the first paragraph.

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policy-memo

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Use policy-memo to write a decision-ready memo for [decision-maker] on [issue], developing realistic options from the supplied context and recommending one with implementation steps, risks, and the exact approval requested.

Required inputs

  • [decision-maker]
  • [issue]

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SKILL.md

name: policy-memodescription: "Write a decision-ready policy memo that frames an issue and recommends an option. Use when asked to write a policy memo, options paper, decision memo for a principal/minister/executive, or brief a decision-maker on a policy choice. Produces a tight memo: the issue, background, options with trade-offs, a clear recommendation, and implementation/risks — written for a busy decision-maker who reads the first paragraph."

Policy Memo Skill

A policy memo exists to drive a decision, not to demonstrate research. The decision-maker reads the top and wants: what's the issue, what are my realistic options, what do you recommend, and what happens if I say yes. This skill writes that — BLUF (bottom line up front), honest options with trade-offs, and a defensible recommendation.

Required Inputs

Ask for these only if they aren't already provided:

  • The issue / decision — what must be decided and why now.
  • The decision-maker — who reads it (minister, exec, board) and what they care about / can authorize.
  • Context — relevant background, constraints (legal, budget, political), stakeholders.
  • The options — the realistic choices (or ask the skill to develop them), and any evidence/data.

Output Format

MEMO — [subject]

To / From / Date / Re — standard header.

Bottom line (BLUF) — 2–3 sentences: the issue, your recommended option, and the key reason. A busy reader should get the decision from this alone.

Issue — the precise question to be decided, and why it needs a decision now.

Background — only what's needed to decide (concise; detail goes to an annex). Facts, constraints, what's at stake.

Options — 2–4 realistic options (including status quo). For each: what it is, pros, cons, cost/feasibility, and who's affected. A comparison table helps:

OptionProsConsCost / feasibility

Recommendation — the option you recommend and why it best fits the goals and constraints. Be decisive; acknowledge the main trade-off you're accepting.

Implementation & risks — key steps, timeline, who does what, and the main risks + mitigations.

Next step / decision requested — exactly what you're asking the reader to approve.

Quality Checks

  • The bottom line up front gives the recommendation in the first paragraph
  • The issue is framed as a precise, decidable question
  • Options include the status quo and show honest trade-offs (cost/feasibility, not just pros)
  • The recommendation is decisive and justified against the stated goals/constraints
  • Implementation, risks, and the specific decision requested are all present

Anti-Patterns

  • Do not bury the recommendation at the end — decision-makers read the top
  • Do not present a fake menu (one real option + straw men) — options must be genuine
  • Do not dump all the research — include only what's needed to decide; annex the rest
  • Do not hedge into non-recommendation — name a choice and own the trade-off
  • Do not ignore feasibility/cost/politics — an un-implementable recommendation is useless

Based On

Government & executive decision-memo practice (BLUF, options analysis, evidence-based recommendation, implementation).

Example Trigger Phrases

  • "Write a policy memo."
  • "Write an options paper."
  • "Write a decision memo for the minister."
  • "Brief a decision-maker on a policy choice."