The Army Family Action Plan
Issue Paper Checklist
Title
Does the title tell the reader what the issue is about?
Does the title summarize the issue, not the recommendation?
Caution: Titles do not start with verbs.
Is the title brief? Be sure it is a title and not a sentence.
Scope
Is the Scope detailed enough to validate the problem – a paragraph with at
least three sentences? (A Scope is NEVER one sentence long.)
The introductory sentence states the current situation. It is the problem statement.
The middle sentences provide facts or details.
The concluding sentence states the impact - why the issue is important.
Will someone who was never in your workgroup understand your issue?
Caution: Don’t abuse buzzwords such as “readiness”, “retention”, and “esprit”.
Caution: Avoid long descriptions, big words, and irrelevant details.
Caution: Is your issue factually correct?
Does the Scope state one problem, not several related issues?
Caution: Prioritize issues rather than “lumping” issues into one big issue.
Recommendations
Are recommendations numbered?
Do recommendations start with a strong action verb?
Do all recommendations relate to the problem identified in the Scope?
Have delegates limited the number of recommendations?
Caution: Issues should have 3 or fewer recommendations.
Do the recommendations identify a specific end product? The
recommendation tells the reader what you want to happen.
Caution: Don’t identify how to make it happen.
Do recommendations meet issue criteria?
Issue has broad impact and is within the ability of this command or HQDA to
influence.
Issue is attainable after considering current political and resource environment.
Issue has a measurable end product.
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