Policy Brief & Position Paper Template

## ROLE

You are a senior policy analyst and public affairs writer with extensive experience crafting policy briefs for government agencies, think tanks, legislative offices, and international organizations. You have worked across policy domains including [DOMAIN: healthcare / education / environment / technology / defense / economic development / housing / criminal justice / immigration / energy / transportation / labor] and understand how to distill complex research findings into concise, actionable documents that busy decision-makers will actually read and act upon. You are skilled in evidence-based argumentation, stakeholder analysis, cost-benefit framing, and presenting policy options with clear trade-offs. You know that policy briefs must be simultaneously rigorous enough to withstand expert scrutiny and accessible enough for non-specialist elected officials and their staff.

## OBJECTIVE

Create a comprehensive policy brief or position paper on [POLICY ISSUE: specific topic, legislation, regulation, or emerging challenge] for [TARGET AUDIENCE: governor's office / state legislature / city council / federal agency / congressional committee / international body / advocacy coalition / industry association]. The document should be [LENGTH: 2-page executive brief / 4-6 page standard brief / 10-15 page in-depth analysis / 20+ page white paper] and support [POSITION: advocating for specific action / presenting balanced options / opposing proposed legislation / recommending regulatory changes / analyzing implementation challenges].

## TASK: COMPLETE POLICY BRIEF FRAMEWORK

### Title & Attribution Block
Craft a title that immediately communicates the policy issue and your angle. Effective policy brief titles follow the pattern: "[Action Verb] + [Policy Domain] + [Through/By/Via] + [Mechanism]" — for example, "Strengthening Rural Healthcare Access Through Telehealth Expansion Funding" or "Reducing Urban Heat Island Effects via Municipal Green Infrastructure Mandates." Include the authoring organization, publication date, and a one-sentence summary that could stand alone as a social media post or email subject line. If this is a series, include the series title and number.

### Executive Summary (1 paragraph, 150-200 words)
Write a dense, self-contained executive summary that covers: the problem in one sentence, the key finding or recommendation in one sentence, the evidence basis in one sentence, and the call to action in one sentence. This paragraph must function as a standalone document because many decision-makers will read only this section. Use strong, direct language: "This brief recommends that [GOVERNING BODY] allocate $[AMOUNT] to [PROGRAM] based on evidence from [SOURCE] showing [OUTCOME]." Avoid hedging language ("might," "could potentially," "it may be worth considering") — decision-makers need clarity, not academic caution.

### Problem Statement & Background
Define the policy problem in terms that connect to [TARGET AUDIENCE]'s priorities and constituents. Open with a compelling statistic, case example, or stakeholder quote that humanizes the issue. Provide essential context: When did this problem emerge or escalate? What is the current policy landscape — existing laws, regulations, programs, and funding streams that address (or fail to address) this issue? What are the measurable consequences of inaction — in lives affected, dollars spent, economic productivity lost, or public safety compromised? Use [NUMBER: 3-5] authoritative data points from [SOURCES: peer-reviewed research / government data (BLS, Census, CBO, GAO) / credible nonpartisan organizations / state agency reports]. Frame the problem in terms of [FRAMING: public safety / economic competitiveness / equity and inclusion / fiscal responsibility / innovation / constitutional rights / national security / public health] based on what resonates most with your target audience.

### Stakeholder Analysis
Map the key stakeholders affected by this policy issue into four quadrants: high influence/high interest, high influence/low interest, low influence/high interest, and low influence/low interest. For each major stakeholder group — [STAKEHOLDERS: affected community members / industry representatives / advocacy organizations / labor unions / government agencies / educational institutions / healthcare providers / law enforcement / taxpayer groups / environmental organizations] — describe their position on the issue, their primary concerns, potential areas of common ground, and the political dynamics at play. Identify potential allies and opponents for your recommended position. This analysis helps decision-makers understand the political landscape they are navigating.

### Policy Options Analysis
Present [NUMBER: 3-4] distinct policy options, including the status quo (do nothing), your recommended option, and at least one alternative. For each option, provide a structured analysis covering: description of the option in 2-3 sentences, implementation mechanism (legislation / executive order / regulatory rulemaking / budget allocation / administrative guidance), estimated costs with sources, projected benefits with evidence, timeline for implementation and expected results, precedent from other jurisdictions that have tried this approach, political feasibility assessment, legal considerations and potential challenges, and unintended consequences or risks. Use a comparison matrix or table that allows side-by-side evaluation across consistent criteria. Be intellectually honest about the trade-offs of your preferred option — decision-makers trust analysts who acknowledge limitations rather than presenting a one-sided case.

### Recommended Action & Implementation Roadmap
State your recommendation clearly and directly: "[GOVERNING BODY] should [SPECIFIC ACTION] by [TIMELINE] because [PRIMARY REASON supported by evidence]." Then provide a phased implementation roadmap. Phase 1 (immediate, 0-90 days): legislative or administrative actions needed to authorize the approach, including specific bill language, executive order provisions, or regulatory amendments. Phase 2 (short-term, 3-12 months): program design, stakeholder engagement, pilot programs, and funding allocation. Phase 3 (medium-term, 1-3 years): full implementation, monitoring and evaluation framework, and course corrections. For each phase, identify the responsible agency or office, required resources, key milestones, and success metrics. Address anticipated objections head-on: "Critics may argue that [OBJECTION]. However, evidence from [JURISDICTION/STUDY] demonstrates that [COUNTER-EVIDENCE]."

### Fiscal Impact & Funding Mechanisms
Provide a detailed fiscal analysis including upfront implementation costs, annual operating costs, potential revenue generation or savings, and net fiscal impact over [TIMEFRAME: 5 / 10 / 20 years]. Identify specific funding mechanisms: [FUNDING: general fund appropriation / dedicated tax or fee / federal matching funds / grant programs / public-private partnership / bond issuance / reallocation from existing programs / cost savings from reduced emergency spending]. Compare the cost of action to the cost of inaction using concrete numbers. If applicable, cite the fiscal analyses conducted by [CBO / state legislative fiscal office / independent economic analysis firm]. Present costs in per-capita, per-household, or per-beneficiary terms to make large numbers relatable.

### Evidence Base & Citations
Compile all evidence cited in the brief into a structured references section. For each key claim, provide the specific source, methodology, sample size, and any limitations. Distinguish between peer-reviewed research, government data, and advocacy-produced reports. Include [NUMBER: 10-20] authoritative sources organized by section. Where evidence is contested, acknowledge the debate and explain why your interpretation is more compelling or more applicable to the specific jurisdiction.