Date:

To:

From:xxxxxs, title

Re:

Note: Students may use this template for development of the Primary Memorandum. However, first delete all text in italics, retaining the bold headings. The text is italics is intended as advice not content. Do not use the advice as subheadings. Do not rely only on the advice in italics in this template – the full advice is posted at

The introduction does not need a heading.

  • Introduce the action-forcing event
  • Include the question your client asks
  • The question normally includes the word “policy”
  • Connect the problem to a policy.

Assessment of the Problem

  • What is the underlying problem – is there a more complex explanation?
  • Can you provide measures of the problem?
  • Recent history, or timeline – what decisions and policies got us here?
  • How does your policy affect the problem – connect the problem to your policy.
  • Be sure to clearly identify the policy – where can the reader obtain it?

Literature Review

  • Local information – reports and news articles
  • Scholarly information about the problem
  • Best Practices – successful approaches from other jurisdictions

Stakeholder Analysis

  • Introduce the stakeholders – specific officials representing groups with different interests and points of view about the problem and possible solutions.
  • Text inside of the tables can be in 10-point font.
  • The “Definition/Measure of Success” refers to the stakeholder’s qualitative or quantitative test of success for a solution to the problem.

Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder
Title/Function
Source of Influence
Explanation of the Problem
Perception of Crisis
Proximity to Problem
Ability to Fix Problem
Ends Desired
Definition/Measure of Success
Essential to Solution?
  • Explain what your client should learn from the table.

Options Specification

  • Introduce the options for policy changes to improve the problem
  • The options have to be changes to the policy referenced in your client’s question.

Options Specification
Options
Description of Policy Change
Source of Option Idea
Implementation Responsibility
Mechanism of Effect
Cost
Legal Requirements
Position of 1st Stakeholder
Position of 2nd Stakeholder
Position of 3rd Stakeholder
…
Degree of Consensus
  • Summarize important differences about the policy options.

Options Assessment

  • Briefly explain your approach to assessing the policy options.

Options Assessment
Options
Description of policy change
Political Feasibility
Administrative Feasibility
Financial Feasibility
Equity
Effectiveness
…
Summary Ranking
  • Explain important findings of your assessment.
  • What factors are most important in distinguishing the options.

Recommendation

  • Explain your recommendation - the policy option you are supporting.
  • Identify important arguments against the policy you recommend, and offer a rebuttal

Bibliography

  • It is recommended that you use the citation management system in Word to produce your bibliography. Se the Literature Review medialecture for more information.

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