Online: Writing for Local Government Decisions

Wondering why your report to senior leaders or elected members didn’t go how you expected or having difficulty in putting a logical and compelling case together? These courses enable you to hone your report writing and policy craft to support effective decision-making.

Learning objectives

On completing this course participants will:

• Know how to apply an analytical framework to local government issues
• Understand how to integrate critical-thinking skills into advice for senior decision makers
• Understand the elements of an effective narrative and why they are important to guide a decision maker through a change in their understanding
• 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 language style
• Have practised applying these skills to a paper.
• Understand how to use AI effectively as a policy research tool

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
• Optional self-led elearning

Course dates

Session One: Monday 24 August, 2.00–4.00pm
Session Two: Wednesday 26 August, 2.00–4.00pm
Session Three: Monday 31 August, 2.00–4.00pm
Session Four: Wednesday 2 September, 2.00–4.00pm
Wrap up Session: Monday 7 September, 2.00–4.00pm

What is covered in this course

Module one: Problem definition and evidence use for local government impact 

Learn the basics of a good problem definition and evidence for analytic purposes in the local government context

• 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.  
• Effectively using AI for research.

Module two: Solution options and criteria for local government impact

Learn the key elements to develop solutions to a defined problem, select criteria, identify and mitigate risk and present a preferred solution option

• 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.

Module three: Essential content 

Learn how to curate the essential elements of your advice, tailored to your audience

• Understand your audience and what their context means for how you structure your story. 
• The fundamentals of narrative. 
• Know the purpose and the shape of your narrative. 
• Be aware of some of the pitfalls of using the narrative approach. 
• Identify the essential elements of your narrative. 

Module four: Paper structure 

Learn how to get your story straight through a summary paragraph, content subheadings and structured paragraphs

• Plan your story before you start writing it. 
• Establish a clear outline and use it as a framework to help keep your story concise. 
• Method for ensuring your writing has sufficient detail to give readers what they need, but not more.

Module five: Plain language 

Learn the fundamentals of good writing: concise sentences and plain language 

• Basic principles of plain language: common words, short and simple sentence constructions, active tense, consistent terminology. 
• Learn how to improve language to make it easier to understand. 
• Practise simplifying examples of language to make it easier to understand. 
• Appreciate the value that AI can offer for improving writing, and the limitations. 

Here’s what others say:

“Laid out a structured process for supporting and communicating decision making in environments of uncertainty.”
— Wellington City Council

“The Writing for Local Government course gave me the structure and framework I needed to write more concise and effective reports and documents in general.”
— Selwyn District Council

“Great course to give your thought processes some structure, which is then reflected through to the report presented for decision-making.”
— Manawatū District Council

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you and the team for your professionalism and the content in the workshops. I’ve found it very helpful (I wish I had it when I first joined Council!) and have been able to implement what I have learnt already.”
— Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana