---
name: briefing-note
description: "Write a one-page briefing note that gets a busy principal up to speed fast. Use when asked to brief a minister/executive/official, prepare a briefing note or read-ahead, or summarize an issue for a decision or meeting. Produces a tight, single-page note: purpose, background, key facts/considerations, and a recommendation or the decision sought — scannable in two minutes."
---

# Briefing Note Skill

A briefing note gets a principal ready for a decision, a meeting, or a question — on one page, in two minutes.
It's ruthlessly concise: purpose, the few facts that matter, the considerations, and what's being asked.
This skill writes that note in the standard structure officials and executives expect.

## Required Inputs

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

- **Purpose** — why the note exists: for decision, for information, or for a meeting/event.
- **The audience** — who's being briefed and what they need (and already know).
- **The substance** — the issue, key facts, relevant background, positions of stakeholders.
- **The ask** — the decision sought, or the meeting/response the note prepares them for.

## Output Format

### BRIEFING NOTE — [subject]
**Date · Prepared for · Purpose:** [for decision / for information / for meeting on DATE]

**Issue** — one or two lines: what this is about and why it's in front of them now.

**Background** — the minimum context needed, as tight bullets (dates, decisions to date, who's involved). No history for its own sake.

**Key considerations** — the factors that matter to the decision or discussion: facts, risks, sensitivities (financial, legal, political, reputational), stakeholder positions. Bullets, not prose.

**Recommendation / decision sought** — if for decision: the recommended action and one-line rationale. If for information/meeting: the key messages or the line to take, and likely questions with suggested answers.

**Contact** — who to follow up with.

Keep it to **one page**. Detail belongs in an annex, referenced not included.

## Quality Checks

- [ ] The purpose (decision / information / meeting) is stated up front and shapes the note
- [ ] It fits on one page and is scannable in ~2 minutes (bullets, not paragraphs)
- [ ] Background is the minimum needed — no padding
- [ ] Key considerations surface the real risks/sensitivities, not just facts
- [ ] It ends with a clear recommendation or the specific decision/action sought

## Anti-Patterns

- [ ] Do not write an essay — a briefing note is one page of scannable bullets
- [ ] Do not include history the principal doesn't need to act — annex it
- [ ] Do not bury the ask — state the decision sought or key messages plainly
- [ ] Do not omit sensitivities/risks — surprising a principal in the room is the cardinal sin
- [ ] Do not editorialize — be accurate and balanced; flag where judgment is involved

## Based On

Government/executive briefing-note practice (purpose-led, one page, key considerations, decision-or-line-to-take).
