White paper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that informs readers concisely about a complex issue and
presents the issuing body's philosophy on the matter. It is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve a
problem, or make a decision. The initial British term concerning a type of government-issued document has
proliferatedtaking a somewhat new meaning in business. In business, a white paper is closer to a form of
marketing presentation, a tool meant to persuade customers and partners and promote a product or
viewpoint.[1][2][3] White papers may be considered grey literature.
Contents
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2
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6
In government
In business-to-business marketing
See also
References
Further reading
External links
In government
The term white paper originated with the British government, and many point to the Churchill White Paper of
1922 as the earliest well-known example under this name. In British government it is usually the less extensive
version of the so-called blue book, both terms being derived from the colour of the document's cover.[2]
White papers are a "... tool of participatory democracy ... not [an] unalterable policy commitment."[4] "White
papers have tried to perform the dual role of presenting firm government policies while at the same time inviting
opinions upon them."[5]
In Canada, a white paper is "...a policy document, approved by Cabinet, tabled in the House of Commons and
made available to the general public."[6] The "provision of policy information through the use of white and
green papers can help to create an awareness of policy issues among parliamentarians and the public and to
encourage an exchange of information and analysis. They can also serve as educational techniques."[7]
White papers are a way the government can present policy preferences before it introduces legislation.
Publishing a white paper tests public opinion on controversial policy issues and helps the government gauge its
probable impact.[8]
By contrast, green papers, which are issued much more frequently, are more open-ended. Also known as
consultation documents, green papers may merely propose a strategy to implement in the details of other
legislation, or they may set out proposals on which the government wishes to obtain public views and opinion.
Examples of governmental white papers include White Paper on Full Employment, White Paper of 1939, and
the 1966 Defence White Paper.
In business-to-business marketing
Since the early 1990s, the term "white paper" has been applied to documents used as marketing or sales tools in
business. These white papers are long-form content designed to promote the products or services from a specific
company. As a marketing tool, these papers use selected facts and logical arguments to build a case favorable to
the company sponsoring the document. B2B white papers are often used to generate sales leads, establish
thought leadership, make a business case, or inform and persuade prospective customers, channel partners,
journalists, analysts, or investors.
White papers are considered to be as a form of content marketing or inbound marketing; in other words,
sponsored content available on the web with or without registration, intended to raise the visibility of the
sponsor in search engine results and thus build web traffic. Many B2B white papers argue that one particular
technology, product or method is superior for solving a specific business problem. They may also present
research findings, list a set of questions or tips about a certain business issue, or highlight a particular product or
service from a vendor.[9]
There are, essentially, three main types of commercial white papers:
Backgrounder: Describes the technical or business benefits of a certain vendor's offering, either a
product, service, or methodology. This type of white paper is best used to supplement a product launch,
argue a business case, or support a technical evaluation at the bottom of the sales funnel.
Numbered list: Presents a set of tips, questions, or points about a certain business issue. This type is best
used to get attention with new or provocative views, or cast aspersions on competitors, especially by
using FUD.
Problem/solution: Recommends a new, improved solution to a nagging business problem. This type is
best used to generate leads at the top of the sales funnel, build mind share, or inform and persuade
stakeholders.[10]
While a numbered list may be combined with either other type, it is not workable to combine the detailed
product information of a backgrounder with the industry-wide perspective of a problem/solution white paper.
See also
Blue book
Case study
Green paper
Grey literature
Persuasive writing
References
1. "The White Paper FAQ". Gordon Graham. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
2. "white paper definition". Margaret Rouse, SearchSOA. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
3. Michael A. Stelzner, Learn all about white papers (http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/resources.html). Whitepaper
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Source Publishing, 2008.
Doerr, Audrey D. The Role of White Papers. In: Doern, G.B. and Peter Aucoin. The Structures of Policy-making in
Canada. Toronto, MacMillan, 1971. pp. 179-203.
Pemberton, John E. Government Green Papers. Library World 71:49 Aug. 1969.
Doerr, Audrey D. The Role of White Papers in the Policy-making Process: the Experience of the Government of Canada.
1973. Thesis (Ph.D) - Carleton University. 1. 56
Doerr, Audrey D. The Machinery of Government. Toronto, Methuen, 1981. p. 153.
Chapin, Henry and Denis Deneau. Citizen involvement in Public Policy-making: Access and the Policy-making Process.
Ottawa, Canadian Council on Social Development, 1978. p. 33.
Kantor, Jonathan (2009). Crafting White Paper 2.0: Designing Information for Today's Time and Attention Challenged
Business Reader. Denver, Colorado: Lulu Publishing. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-557-16324-3.
Graham, Gordon (2010). How to Pick the Perfect Flavor for Your Next White Paper. ThatWhitePaperGuy. p. 15.
Further reading
Graham, Gordon (2013). White Papers For Dummies. New York: Wiley. p. 366. ISBN 978-1-118-496923.
Stelzner, Michael (2006). Writing White Papers: How to capture readers and keep them engaged. Poway,
California: WhitePaperSource Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-9777169-3-7.
Bly, Robert W. (2006). The White Paper Marketing Handbook. Florence, Kentucky: South-Western
Educational Publishing. p. 256. ISBN 978-0-324-30082-6.
External links
White paper EU glossary (http://europa.eu/legislation_summarie
s/glossary/white_paper_en.htm)
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to White
papers.
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Categories: Promotion and marketing communications Technical communication White Papers
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