A workshop designed for investigators, investigative report writers and managers who review and approve investigation reports. It focuses on strategies for meeting the unique challenges of drafting investigation reports.
Who should attend
- investigators
- managers who supervise and review investigation reports
- policy/research officers who write reports.
Duration – half-day morning workshop
This workshop requires a time commitment of 3.5 hours including 15-minute tea break. This workshop is scheduled from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm.
Attendee numbers
A maximum of 32 participants may register for this workshop.
Learning outcomes
This workshop is designed to help investigators to:
- understand the key challenges unique to investigative report writing
- understand how report planning can assist with identifying gaps in the evidence
- understand how to formulate clear findings and write about the findings rather than about the investigative process
- understand the tools for telling the story, such as data, timelines, images and quotes
- understand how to structure coherent and persuasive arguments that allow the reader to link ideas and more easily follow the analysis
- learn revising techniques.
Workshop outline
Challenge 1: coherently and convincingly conveying your conclusions
- key messaging
- formulating clear findings and conclusions.
Challenge 2: selecting the evidence
- using the report planning process to identify gaps in evidence
- identifying the crucial pieces of information the reader needs.
Challenge 3: articulating your analysis
- ordering information to build your argument
- constructing coherent arguments.
Challenge 4: presenting the evidence
- effectively summarising detailed or technical information
- using data, timelines, images and quotes to tell the story.
Challenge 5: revising for accuracy, fairness and clarity
- incorporating submissions into a report
- tools for self-editing
- the differences between internal and published reports.
About the workshop presenters
The workshop will be jointly presented by:
Sanya Silver, Deputy Ombudsman, Investigations and Major Projects, NSW Ombudsman
Sanya Silver is Deputy Ombudsman, Investigations and Major Projects at the NSW Ombudsman’s Office. She heads the branch that leads investigations and major projects through multi-disciplinary cross-office teams. Sanya has 20 years of experience across the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction conducting administrative investigations and leading teams of investigators and complaint handlers.
Lesya Bryndzia, Investigation Report Editor, Victorian Ombudsman
Lesya Bryndzia is the Investigation Report Editor at the Victorian Ombudsman’s office. She previously worked in reporting and communications at the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office and has a background in educational publishing. She has over 10 years’ experience writing and editing investigative reports for government.
Fiona Hudson, Senior Investigations Analyst, Victorian Ombudsman
Fiona Hudson is a Senior Investigations Analyst with the Victorian Ombudsman. She previously worked as a communication specialist with the Victorian Centre for Data Insights. She is a former investigative journalist and foreign correspondent with more than 20 years' experience writing and editing for major Australian news brands.
Register now to avoid disappointment.