TL;DR (3 lines)
Situation, recommendation, ask. If they only read this, they can still decide.
Situation
What's true right now, in numbers where possible. Two short paragraphs, no jargon.
Options
Two to three, with a one-line pros/cons each. Include a 'do nothing' when relevant.
Recommendation
Your pick, why, and the trade-off you're accepting. Own the recommendation — no fence-sitting.
The ask
The specific decision, resource, or air cover you need — and by when.
Common pitfalls
- — Two pages. It's called a one-pager.
- — Burying the recommendation. Put it up top and defend it below.
- — Vague ask. 'Support' isn't an ask; '$200k and headcount for Q3' is.