What are the arguments in support of and in opposition to potential resolutions?

Issue Statement
•    What problem/issue needs to be resolved?
•    If the remainder of the paper is extensive, an Executive Summary should be included

Discussion/Background
•    Why does the issue exist/how did the issue originate?
•    What is the situation that causes it to surface or be elevated now?
•    What are the impacts of the issue?
•    Who is impacted by it?
•    What is the statewide significance?
•    What are the arguments in support of and in opposition to potential resolutions?
•    What work has been undertaken around the issue and what are the results?
•    What constraints exist that limit the range of alternatives to addressing the issue?
•    What are the risks or ramifications of not resolving the issue?
•    What references exist to inform this issue (i.e. Op Notice, policy, manual, etc.)

Options and/or Recommendations (typically, choose one)
•    What are the proposed options?
o    How do the options address the issue?
o    What are the opposing arguments (whether they’ve been made or could be made)
o    Financial implications?
o    Precedent implications?
o    Political implications?
•    What is the proposed approach to developing options or recommendation?
o    Should a sub-team be developed to explore options and/or develop a recommendation for resolution?
o    Should the issue be delegated or elevated to another leadership team?
o    Other method/approach to develop options or a recommendation?
•    What is the proposed recommendation or solution?
o    How does the proposed recommendation resolve the issue?
o    What are the benefits?
o    What are the risks?
o    What are the opposing arguments (whether they’ve been made or could be made)
o    Financial implications?
o    Precedent implications?
o    Political implications?

Implementation
•    How will the solution be implemented?
•    Who will implement?
•    What are the key steps or deliverables involved?
•    What are the timeframes for implementation?
•    What does “success” look like?
•    How will the recommendation be documented? (i.e. Op Notice, manual changes, policy changes, etc.)

Communication
•    Who needs to approve?
•    Who needs to know?