presenttion policy analysis
- 2. Policy Analysis Prepared by: Afshan Ashraf Aliya Ghafoor
- 3. Introduction What is public policy? What is policy analysis? Approaches of policy analysis. Process of policy analysis. Steps in policy analysis. Types of policy analysis.
- 4. Public policy focuses on ‘the public and its problems’ (Dewey, 1927) • The study of ‘how, why and to what effect governments pursue particular courses of action and inaction’ (Heidenheimer, 1990) • ‘What governments do, why they do it, and what difference does it make’ (Dye, 1976) • ‘The study of the nature, causes, and effects of public policies’ (Nagel, 1990
- 5. A systematic examination and evaluation of data or information, by breaking it into its component parts to uncover their interrelationships
- 6. Policy analysis is "determining which of various policies will be the most achieve a given set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals
- 7. "The process through which we identify and evaluate alternative policies or programs that are intended to lessen (decrease) or resolve social, economic, or physical problems.“ Carl V. Patton
- 8. Policy analysis is a rational, systematic approach to making policy choices in the public sector. It supports policymakers in identifying polices that are cost-effective and that would help to achieve their policy goals and objectives.
- 9. Effects Effectiveness What effects does the policy have on the targeted problem? Unintended effects What are the unintended effects of this policy? Equity What are the effects of this policy on different groups? Implementation Cost What is the financial cost of this policy? Feasibility Is this policy technically feasible? Acceptability Do the relevant stakeholders view the policy as acceptable?
- 10. Effectiveness: How effective ? Efficiency: How efficient ? Ethical considerations: Ethically sound ? Evaluations of alternatives: How good ? Establishment of recommendations for positive change: What can be established ?
- 11. Learn to focus quickly on the central decision criterion of the problem Think about the types of policy actions that can be taken Learn to deal with uncertainty Make the analysis simple and transparent Check the facts Give the client analysis, not decisions Push the boundaries of analysis beyond the "policy envelope" Be aware that there is no such thing as an absolutely correct, rational, and complete analysis
- 13. Based on the ideas and approach followed by Carl V. Patton the steps of policy analysis are as followed: 1. Verify, define, and detail the problem. 2. Establish evaluation criteria 3. Identify alternative policies. 4. Evaluate alternative policies 5. Display and distinguish among alternative policies 6. Monitoring the implemented policy.
- 14. The most relevant and important of them all because many times the objectives are not clear or even contradictory (clashes) from each other. A successful policy analysis will have allocated and identified clearly the problem to be resolved in the following steps. This is the foundation for an efficient and effective outcome of the whole process. The analyst must question both the interested parties involved as well as their agendas of the outcome. Locating the problem in such a way that eliminates any ambiguity for future references.
- 15. In order to compare, measure and select among alternatives, relevant evaluation criteria must be established. In this step it must be considered cost net benefit effectiveness efficiency equity administrative ease legality and political acceptability.
- 16. Economic benefits must be considered in evaluating the policy. How the policy will harm or benefit a particular group or groups.
- 17. In order to reach this third step the other two must have been successfully reached and completed. As it can be seen, the policy analysis involves an incrementalist approach; reaching one step in order to go on to the next. In this third step understanding what is sought is very important. In order to generate alternatives, it becomes important to have a clear understanding of the problem and how to go about it. Possible alternatives include the "do nothing approach" (status quo), and any other that can benefit the outcome solution.
- 18. . Combining alternatives generates better solutions not thought of before. Relying on past experiences from other groups or policy analysis helps to create a more thorough analysis and understanding. It is important to avoid settling prematurely on a certain number of options in this step; many options must be considered before settling into a reduced number of alternatives.
- 19. Packaging of alternatives into strategies is the next step in accomplishing a thorough (systematic, careful) policy analysis. It becomes necessary to evaluate how each possible alternative benefits the criteria previously established. Additional data needs to be collected in analyzing the different levels of influence: the economical, political and social dimensions of the problem.
- 20. These dimensions are analyzed through quantitative and qualitative analysis, that is the benefits and costs per alternative. Political questions in attaining the goals are analyzed as to see whether they satisfy the interested parties of the policy analysis.
- 21. The results of the evaluation of possible alternatives list the degree to which criteria are met in each of them. In making the comparison and distinction of each alternative it is necessary to play out the economic, political, legal, and administrative ramification (consequences) of each option. Political analysis is a major factor of decision of distinction among the choices; display the positive effects and negative effects interested (involved) in implementing the policy.
- 22. Assure continuity, determine whether they are having impact. "Even after a policy has been implemented, there may be some doubt whether the problem was resolved appropriately and even whether the selected policy is being implemented properly. This concerns require that policies and programs be maintained and monitored during implementation to assure that they do not change for unintentionally (by chance, by mistake), to measure the impact that they are having, to determine.
- 23. Scientific Analysis Political Analysis Professional Analysis
- 24. Search for truth and build theory about policy actions and effects May be too theoretical for most decision makers
- 25. Analyze alternatives to solve problems – goal is for practical value Research can be too narrow due to time or resource constraints
- 26. advocate and support preferred (favored) policies often ideological or partisan (A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person); may lack analytic depth