Prepare a topic people can discuss

A concise description helps representatives understand the issue and the discussion you are asking for.

  1. 1

    Describe the shared issue

    State what is happening without leading with a proposed solution.

  2. 2

    Name the work context

    Say which groups, locations, or work situations are affected, without assuming the issue is universal.

  3. 3

    Explain the observable impact

    Give a concrete example of what people need to do, find, or clarify.

  4. 4

    Say what discussion would help

    Ask for a comparison, clarification, or exploration of options; do not imply a decision has already been made.

A worked example

The Northstar Works example is fictional; compare how much context each version gives.

Specific and discussable

“Handover notes are stored in different places across the Northstar Works sites. Evening teams say they spend time checking multiple channels. Could the forum discuss a common place to find the current handover guidance?”

  • Names the work issue and context.
  • Describes an observable impact.
  • Asks for discussion without claiming a solution is approved.

Too broad to guide discussion

“Communication is bad.” This does not identify the work context, who is affected, or what the forum could clarify.

  • Name a specific information or coordination issue.
  • Describe where it appears in the work.
  • Ask a question that can guide discussion.

Choose the right kind of channel

A forum is most useful when the issue can be discussed as a shared workplace theme. It is not a live reporting or case-handling service.

Shared theme

Use the forum for a pattern or question affecting shared work across a group, location, or more than one team.

  • Describe the pattern without unnecessary personal details.
  • Explain who or what work context is affected.
  • Ask the relevant representative how topics are collected.

Personal or urgent matter

Use the organization's separately established route when a matter concerns an individual case or needs more direct attention. This forum does not define that route.

  • Do not put sensitive personal details in a shared agenda topic.
  • Use the established organizational channel for the individual matter.
  • Ask a relevant representative for help identifying the appropriate channel.

How to take the next step

Submit the prepared topic through your organization's confirmed topic channel, if one is provided, or ask the relevant representative how topics are collected. This page does not send a submission or create a receipt, approval, response time, or status. For the representative channel, use Find a representative. To see how discussions can be recorded, read Published outcomes.