ABSTRACT
Policy analysis is the beginning, not the end, of efforts to improve policies. The communication of policy-relevant knowledge may be viewed as a four-stage process involving analysis, documentation, communication, and utilization. The development of policy-relevant documents capable of conveying usable knowledge requires knowledge and skills in synthesizing, organizing, translating, simplifying, displaying, and summarizing information. Just as procedures for conducting analysis are different from procedures for developing policy-relevant documents, so are procedures for developing these documents different from procedures for their communication in the form of oral presentations and briefings. The policy issue paper may address issues in almost any area: health, education, welfare, crime, labor, energy, foreign aid, national security, human rights, and so on. The policy memorandum should be concise, focused, and well organized. The executive summary is a synopsis of the major elements of a policy issue paper or report. A letter of transmittal will accompany a policy issue paper or study.
