Writing for Local Government Decisions
Learn a process you can use to support decision making on local government issues and writing compelling papers for senior leaders
Description
This course is our flagship course for local government. It teaches a process that officials can use for decision making on local government issues and writing compelling papers for senior leaders.
Testimonial 2
"The course was certainly a 'trust the process' experience. Initially the new elements felt very whelming in their individual-ness, but each week built on the previous wonderfully, with many 'oh wow!' moments where things clicked together perfectly"
- Strategic Policy Analyst | Ōpōtiki District Council
What you will learn
By attending this course you will:
- understand how to apply an analytical framework to local government issues
- understand how to integrate analysis into advice for senior leaders to support decision making
- practise applying these skills to an issue
- understand the essential elements of an effective narrative and why they are important to guide a decision maker through a change in their decision making
- be able to apply a straightforward, five-step process for developing a compelling narrative for decision-making purposes
- understand how to write in a polished, plain English style
- practise a process for developing a compelling narrative for decision-making purposes.
Testimonial 1
"It's such a fantastic learning journey, and so interactive - love the format of teaching. I reckon the course should be part and parcel of training for all local government organisations"
- Corporate Planner | Tauranga City Council
Who should attend
This course is useful for anyone involved in decision-making processes, whether those roles are in policy, governance, strategy, planning or services.
Course format
The course combines facilitator-led, live-learning sessions with self-led content that learners complete online at their own pace. Learners are encouraged to complete all the coursework and collaborate and learn from each other.
Each week of the four-week course consists of:
- a two-hour facilitator-led, live-learning session
- approximately three hours of self-led learning and coursework.
There is a one-hour wrap up session at the end of week four.
What is covered in the course
Session one
- The local government decision-making landscape.
- Introduction to analytical frameworks.
- A framework to conduct a multi-criteria analysis.
- Define the problem.
- Identify what counts as helpful evidence and data for decision making.
- Coursework: write a problem definition, create an evidence plan.
Session two
- Develop criteria.
- Develop solution options.
- Understand trade-offs.
- Understand how to identify, minimise and mitigate risk.
- Present a preferred solution option to a decision maker.
- Coursework: complete a decision matrix to arrive at a preferred solution.
Session three
- Narrative fundamentals.
- The essential elements of narrative.
- The five-step narrative process.
- Coursework: practise steps one and two of the narrative process.
Session four
- Steps three, four and five of the narrative process.
- Language, tone, and style.
- Executive summary.
- Recommendations.
- Coursework: practise steps three, four and five of the narrative process.
Wrap up
- Recap on key learnings.
- ‘Ask Me Anything’ with your facilitator.