Decision Memo

Your memo should be between 500 and 700 words. You are writing this memo to inform a superior, and you must be succinct if you expect the reader to get to the end make good use of the information. You are essentially doing the homework for your superior so that he or she can make policy or weigh in on the policy debate. Chances are good that your superior already knows something about this issue, so that enables you to be brief.

In this case, you will be a staff member for any member of Congress you choose, and you are writing this memo because your boss will need to vote on a piece of legislation next week. (The legislation and vote are fictional, but please make them sound real.) don't try to be creative. Get right to the point. Succinctly state why you are writing this memo. Indicate that there is a vote on the topic and that it is in his/her interest to vote yes/no. Use subheadings to break up the sections.

Be sure to include these parts of the memo.

1. Memo heading (includes to, from, date, and re:)

2. 1-2 sentence intro that clearly previews the problem and your recommended solution.

3. The problem (the problem/situation that requires a decision)

4. Options for action (Include all options for action, even those you do not recommend so that your superior is knowledgeable about the landscape.)

5. Political landscape (Include information about the position of the various stakeholders. He/she needs to know how his constituents feel. He also needs to know where the congressional leaders stand and also the rank and file of his party.)

6. Your recommendation about what to do (how to vote). (Include information about why this recommendation is the right option for your superior. This isn't about what you think. It's about the best interest of your superior.)

7. The conclusion recaps your recommendation. This is the final word with which you will leave your superior.

Under other circumstances, you might have a section outlining how the solution could be rolled out. In this case, you are advising your boss (member of Congress) how to vote, so there is no need to include this.