The 9 policy making steps
While every organization, government, or institution is likely to develop policy differently – there are some basic steps that should be included as part of the development process. Following these steps will increase the likelihood of high quality policy advice. The extent to which each stage is followed will depend on a range of conditions such as the project’s size, the resources available, the timeframes, and the risks associated with the project.
George James Consulting recommend the following basic, nine step process as a good place to start when developing policy.
Step 1. Defining the problem
The aim of the first stage of the policy development process is to clearly define the problem you want to address.
Step 2. Identifying objectives
The aim of the second stage of the policy development process is to identify what the policy needs to achieve (i.e. its objectives).
Step 3. Developing options
The aim of the third stage of the policy development process is to develop options that are likely to resolve the problem.
Step 4. Determining criteria
The aim of the fourth stage of the policy development process is to identify an appropriate range of criteria to help make the necessary policy decisions.
Step 5. Assessing the options
The aim of the fifth stage of the policy development process is to assess the options objectively to determine the preferred option.
Step 6. Formulating your recommendations
The aim of the sixth stage is to formulate your recommendation of the preferred option for resolving the problem and present your recommendation. The way that you will do this will vary across different organizations.
Step 7. Implementation
The aim of the seventh stage of the policy development process is to develop a structured approach to implementation, so your new policy can be implemented successfully.
Step 8. Monitoring
The aim of the eighth stage of the policy development process is to develop a monitoring programme that will gather information about a policy’s activities and impacts.
Step 9. Evaluation
The aim of the ninth stage of the policy development process is to evaluate your policy to establish whether it is appropriate, efficient, and effective.
George James Consulting will be developing further, more detailed guidance around the nine steps in the policy development process. This resource will be available under the reports tab on the website.
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