BLUF: Bottom Line Up Front

Get to the Point

BLUF is a military communications acronym and stands for “bottom line up front”. It is a simple way to start an email to ensure your main point and recommendation(s) are read first. The rest of your argument and relevant background information can follow using a traditional writing format that culminates in the conclusion and recommended way forward. In this context, “bottom line” is not your company’s financial holdings, but instead your communication goal/objective for this email.

Here's an example:

• BLUF: Effective 17 March 2020, all non-essential employees are to telework full-time until further notice.


• BACKGROUND:


• * COVID safety protocols require social distancing and a reduction of on-site personnel to bare minimum staffing levels.
• * Essential personnel are defined as: 24/7 watch officers, security personnel, and facilities.


• * Decision was made by the CEO in consultation with the Board of Directors on 16 March 2020, 2:45pm.

In industry, it may be more appropriate to simply use “Bottom Line” but it’s always fun to introduce a new concept to the team.

If you get good at writing BLUFs then you reduce TLDR. 😊

And remember... it's all relative...

The Gettysburg Address fits in half a page. What you are trying to say can’t be more important. 😊