Readers of briefing notes
The key to a successful briefing note is empathy and anticipation. Imagine, in as much detail as possible, the situation where your reader will be using the brief and what they will be looking for. When you write a briefing note, you are contributing to a conversation. The person you are writing for will speak, but you are providing them with the words. As one WHO writer described it: “What can the DG say about this that only the DG can say?” If you are writing a briefing note for your supervisor or another staff member, your question will be similar: “What can my colleague say about this to people who may never have a chance to talk to me about it?”
You also need to think about why you have been asked to provide the brief. It is usually because of your expert knowledge of the issues and the outcomes that need to be achieved for WHO work to progress.
If you are writing about policies and procedures, it is particularly important to be aware of the level of detail that is required. Think about both the primary audience for the briefing note and those they will be speaking to; what do they really need to know? Tell them that much, and no more.