Many people feel that professional documents, including the demanding ones for Impact Assessment (IA) or Assessment of Environmental Effects in New Zealand, are overly long, complex and filled with unnecessary details. Many suggest that better written documents would help. That idea isn’t wrong, but it isn’t enough. Because you can’t write clearly if you don’t have something clear to say. And many professionals, who can master data and analysis, struggle with converting their observations into useful conclusions and recommendations. Underlying the steps of assessment is the process of argument—assembling a series of reasons to support a conclusion. Mastering that process creates something clear to say.

This popular workshop, back for the sixth year, shares two sets of tools collectively called ‘Organised Reasoning^TM. The first set guides creating strong arguments. When the framework of the argument has been figured out, then you can use specific steps to make the ideas clear on the page. The second tool set shows how to present arguments in your written text.

Assessments are complex documents. Using the tools of argument can make them easier for audiences to understand—and easier for authors to write! But equally important, clearer thinking and more succinct writing yield more expedient processes and feedback within the IA process. And that is an important contribution to the much-desired streamlining of assessment efforts.

The workshop addresses, with presentations and participatory activities:

• common errors in arguments and written documents.
• the three different kinds of argument present in professional documents.
• a framework for assembling arguments based on the different roles played by different information.
• five fundamental strategies that help guide the many detailed tactics of argument and writing.
• central steps for packaging arguments clearly into professional documents.
• a process for self-guided improvement and feedback after the course is over

We discuss how people have implemented these steps in their professional practice.

The workshop will be held as four x 3.5-hour online sessions over two weeks. The course includes opportunities for discussion and practice and provides breaks for refreshment. You’ll receive handouts documenting the main ideas. Participants will be limited to 15 people. Please note that there is no recording, digital summarizing or use of AI tools during these sessions.

Participation is limited to 15 participants per workshop to enhance interaction. To enable workshops to share a variety of opinions and conversations, each workshop is limited to no more than five employees from the same organisation. If you wish to host a workshop tailored to employees from a single organisation please reach out to us at events@eianz.org and we will work with yourself and Dr Brown to find suitable dates.

Note: These workshops will be held approximately every month during 2026, depending on demand. If you are unable to register for the current advertised workshop, email events@eianz.org and ask to be put on the wait list to ensure you have the first opportunity to register for the following workshop.

This workshop will run over 4 half day sessions on the following dates:
Monday 2 February, Wednesday 4 February, Monday 9 February & Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 12:00pm - 3:30pm (AEDT)

Meet the speaker

Dr Glenn Brown has over 25 years’ experience as an ecologist and educator specialising in environmental management. He has worked on environmental projects for industry, government and non-governmental organisations in Canada and other countries. He taught courses on Ecosystem Science and Management and on Analytical Thinking and Communications for 15 years in the masters program in Environment and Management at Royal Roads University in British Columbia and works as an independent consultant.

He has delivered this course at the International Association for Impact Assessment conferences in Florence, Durban, Brisbane, Vancouver, Kuching, Dublin and Bologna and through EIANZ, both face-to-face and online, over 80 times.

Click here to view Dr Glenn Brown's website and biography →

Testamonials for previous workshop participants

• "Very useful and applicable to not only IA but all aspects of the professional world".
• "Glenn was a wonderful trainer; very passionate about his field, and keen to share it. He is an excellent trainer who made a complex topic easy to understand"
• "I came into the course expecting practical tools that I could apply immediately in my work and I felt that I got this"
• "The instructor paid attention to all the participants and was mindful of cultural and background differences"
• "Fantastic course. Can’t wait to put into practice"
• "Really well organized, very practical"
• "I really enjoyed this workshop. It is useful for anyone needing to make and communicate complex arguments"
• "Useful at all levels within an organisation"
• "Great course to take to better understand how to write more concisely! Applies to academia, grants, and consulting!"
• "Would highly recommend to others"

Not an EIANZ member?

Consider joining as a student, associate or full member today! To receive the member rate to the workshop make sure you apply for membership prior to registering for the event! Join here →

CPD points

Cancellation and payment policy

Registrations are via credit card. If you are unable to register via credit card please contact us at office@eianz.org. Should you need to cancel your registration the following conditions apply:

• 50% refund up to 4 weeks before course
• 25% refund up to 2 weeks before
• We will accept an alternative person in lieu of someone who can’t attend who meets the criteria of the ticket
• Notification of cancellation must be provided to EIANZ Central Office by email office@eianz.org