A memorandum was from the Latin verbal phrase memorandum est, the gerundive form of the
verb memoro, "to mention, call to mind, recount, relate", which means "It must be remembered...".
It is therefore a note, document or other communication that helps the memory by recording
events or observations on a topic, such as may be used in a business office.
The plural form of the Latin noun memorandum so derived is properly memoranda, but if the
word is deemed to have become a word of the English language, the plural memorandums,
abbreviated to memos, may be used.
A memorandum can have only a certain number of formats; it may have a format specific
to an office or institution.
In law specifically, a memorandum is a record of the terms of a transaction or contract,
such as a policy memo, memorandum of understanding, memorandum of agreement, or memorandum of
association.
Alternative formats include memos, briefing notes, reports, letters or binders.
They could be one page long or many.
They may be considered as grey literature.
If the user is a cabinet minister or a senior executive, the format might be rigidly defined
and limited to one or two pages.
If the user is a colleague, the format is usually much more flexible.
At its most basic level, a memorandum can be a handwritten note to one's supervisor.
In business, a memo is typically used by firms for internal communication, as opposed to
letters which are typically for external communication.
Dean Acheson famously quipped that "A memorandum is not written to inform the reader but to
protect the writer".
Charles Peters wrote that "bureaucrats write memoranda both because they appear to be busy
when they are writing and because the memos, once written, immediately become proof that
they were busy."
Policy briefing note A specific type of memorandum is the policy
briefing note, a document for transmitting policy analysis into the political decision
making sphere.
Typically, a briefing note may be denoted as either “for information” or “for
decision”.
Origins of term The origins of the term “briefing” lie
in legal “briefs” and the derivative “military briefings”.
Purpose The primary purpose of a briefing note “for
decision” is to support decision making – to “help a decision-maker to make a
better decision in a particular problem situation than he might otherwise have made without
the analysis”.
Other purposes that the briefing note can serve include: conveying information; informing
decisions, making a request, providing a response to a question, making a suggestion, presenting
an informal report, proposing a solution to a problem, or documenting a reference for
future use.
Structure As the communication mechanism of the policy
analysis process, the briefing note should provide a coherent synopsis of a policy problem,
identify different policy options for addressing the problem, articulate opposing perspectives
and advocate a recommended option.
The typical structure for a briefing note includes: a description of the proposed policy;
relevant background information; a discussion of key considerations, a summary of arguments
for and against the policy and a recommended decision.
Policy documents that start with a proposal and assemble an argument that position are
more accurately referred to as a government white paper.
A government green paper which raises a policy option and is meant to open a dialogue on
the proposal is more similar in tone to a briefing note than is a white paper.
Quality criteria There is no universal standard for a briefing
note, but it is generally understood to be a concise, coherent summary of a public policy
problem with a clearly articulated logic for following a recommended course of action.
”Next to a political nose, and a logical brain, the most important skill of the good
treasury [person] resides in [their] fine drafting hand.
The concise, coherent and penetrating note is the final expression of all other talents.”
In many Westminster / Whitehall governance settings, policy analysts are expected to
analyze the issue and write the briefing note from a neutral public service perspective.
However, the briefing note “for decision” must contain a recommendation, acknowledging
that “to say anything of importance in public policy requires value judgments, which must
be explained and justified”.
See also Bench memorandum
Grey literature Memorandum of agreement
Memorandum of association Memorandum of understanding
Mémoire Presidential memorandum
Private Placement Memorandum References
External links RPI.edu, The Writing Center: Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute.
Washington.edu, Memorandum Writing, Patrick, Richard F. Elmore, Laurie Werner.
How to Write Briefing Notes, Parkinson, Robert B.
Classic Format of a Briefing Note, Parkinson, Robert B.