The Executive Brief is a succinct document - usually one or two pages (three only in exceptional circumstances) - that captures the essence of a business issue, challenge, or problem; analyzes it, posits options, and provides a recommendation. The document is logical and linear from beginning to end, without unnecessary verbiage or complexity. 

The average executive can work anywhere between 40 - 80 hours per week; usually in "high stress" environments with significant financial and resource constraints. Simply put, they do not have time to read a 70 - 80 page report that "drones on" describing factors peripheral to identifying and solving the problem. Therefore, it is critical that any document written as an executive brief get quickly to the point, avoids extraneous detail, provides rational solutions, and posits the most reasonable and/or cost-effective of options considered.

Many executives now require staff to summarize key aspects of the challenges and decisions faced, and offer reasonable, workable, dependable solutions in this format.

Sample Executive Brief Template:

Date: 

• Date the Brief was drafted

Title of Brief: 

• One line title

Issue:

• A brief description of the specific challenge facing the department or organization (one paragraph)

Background:

• A 1/2 page description of context and antecedent events that lead up to the current situation and a need for decision.

Discussion & Analysis:

• Qualification and quantification (if appropriate) of factors and variables important in rendering a decision.

Options/Implications:

• Description of options based on the Discussion and Analysis
• Always include a Status Quo option (i.e. "do nothing")
• Implications should be reasonable and not overstated unless dire consequence will ensue

Recommendation(s):

• Flows logically from the Options/Implications
• Decision parameters:  fairness, reasonableness, economically efficient, effective, accountable, affordable, and politically/legally/stakeholder sensitive