Executive writing / free worksheet

Separate evidence from the decision you want approved.

A useful board brief states the decision, material options, supporting evidence and unresolved uncertainty. The free claims CSV gives your draft an independent review trail.

Free educational resourceNo accountOriginal editable CSV

A five-step working checklist

  1. 01

    State the decision on page one

    Describe the specific approval or direction sought and by whom.

  2. 02

    Group material claims

    Identify what is a verified fact, calculation, forecast or management assumption.

  3. 03

    Preserve the source date and scope

    Avoid citing information without its reporting period, context or applicable limitations.

  4. 04

    Surface counterarguments and risk

    Explain alternatives, downside conditions and implementation responsibilities.

  5. 05

    Review before circulation

    Confirm each claim against its source and record who cleared the final document.

Download your free starter CSV

Open in Excel, Google Sheets or another spreadsheet editor. The file contains headers and one clearly illustrative example. No data is uploaded.

Replace the example row before using your own information.

What your output should show

After entering your own information, another reviewer should understand the owner, source, status and next action without relying on undocumented explanations. Use appropriate access controls for confidential material.

Frequently asked questions

Is a board brief the same as a white paper?

No. A board brief supports a defined management decision. A white paper often presents a broader researched position, options or methodology.

Is AI-generated evidence acceptable without review?

No. All material facts and citations need verification against accessible primary sources.

What do buyers receive with the $79 existing system?

A PDF research guide, editable Excel claims ledger, Word white paper template and Word board brief template.