Corporate Writing

Concept PaperBackgrounder

Fact Sheet

What is a concept paper?

The concept paper is a one or two page document that lays the groundwork for the new activity or program proposal.

How to develop a concept paperThe heart of a new activity is a concept paper that answers the following questions;1. What is this activity about?2. Why is this activity needed?3. What will participants be able to do

upon completion of activity?4. Who are the intended target groups?

How will the concept paper be used?

The concept paper is a central document from which the needs assessment, the detailed program development, and the full, formal proposal flow. Here are several ways how a concept paper can be a valuable tool;

1. CP communicates your intent to create a new activity or program to clients or stakeholders (eg your branding program, identity and product development).

2. CP enables reviewers to give approval to proceed with the needs assessment and full proposal development.

3. CP focuses the needs assessment on the essentials of the new program/ activity.

4. CP enables rethinking and revision, if needed, before further effort and time are spent on the details of the program/activity and formal proposal.

5. CP gives operational and stakeholder groups a “heads up” to the new program/activity, allowing them to give you timely information.

6. CP assists all parties with detailed program/activity development, and operational planning.

7. CP provides the platform for making our assignment as we write the proposal document, and its appendices (the CP is an appendix to the proposal).

8. CP provides general promotional copy for banner, web site, and other publicity materials.

9. After implementation of activity/program, CP will become the focus in activity/program development, accountability and sustainability reviews.

What information is in the concept paper?

A concept paper has THREE sections;

1. Purpose/Rationale2. Program/activity aim and goals3. Potential target

groups/clients/customers

Format1. Purpose2. Rationale3. Program;

i. aimii. goals

4. Program details;i. conceptii. Interpretation

5. Potential targets

Backgrounders 1 Backgrounders are in-depth

information pieces. They are comprehensive yet

concise. They are not used to support

company policy. They typically accompany news

releases in media kits. They require much research.

Backgrounders 2 Open with a concise statement about the

issue which the accompanying release is based.

Follow with a historical overview of the issue.

Work your way up to the present. Discuss the implications of the issue. Use subheads instead of transitions. Most are about four to five pages in

length.

Fact Sheets Fact sheets contain facts, and that

all. Fact sheets are usually one page,

sometimes printed on both sides. They elaborate on already presented

information, such as a news release, but do not repeat what has been said.

KLCC Twin Towers Fact SheetKLCC Twin Towers Fact Sheet Number of Storeys: 88Number of Storeys: 88 Overall height: 452 metres above street levelOverall height: 452 metres above street level Location of Skybridge: Level 41and 42Location of Skybridge: Level 41and 42 Height of Skybridge: 170 metres above street Height of Skybridge: 170 metres above street

levellevel Length of Skybridge: 58.4 metresLength of Skybridge: 58.4 metres Height of Pinnacle: 73.5 metersHeight of Pinnacle: 73.5 meters Vertical transportations: 29 double-deck high Vertical transportations: 29 double-deck high

speed lifts in each towerspeed lifts in each tower Number of escalators: 10 in each towerNumber of escalators: 10 in each tower Stainless steel cladding: 65,000 sq metresStainless steel cladding: 65,000 sq metres Vision glass: 77,000 sq metresVision glass: 77,000 sq metres Concrete: (various strength up to Grade 80) Concrete: (various strength up to Grade 80)

160,000 cubic metres in the superstructures160,000 cubic metres in the superstructures Steel: 36,910 tonnes of beamsSteel: 36,910 tonnes of beams

trusses and reinforcementstrusses and reinforcements Foundation: 4.5 metres (15 feet) thick raft Foundation: 4.5 metres (15 feet) thick raft

foundation containing 13,200 cubic metres of foundation containing 13,200 cubic metres of grade 60 reinforced concrete, weighing grade 60 reinforced concrete, weighing approximately 32,550 tonnes under each approximately 32,550 tonnes under each tower, supported by 104 barret piles varying tower, supported by 104 barret piles varying from 60-115 metres in length.from 60-115 metres in length.