This document outlines the 8 key steps for developing and evaluating policy:
1. Describe the problem by identifying causes, impacts, perceptions, and potential solutions.
2. Assess readiness by determining community and organizational support and resources.
3. Develop goals, objectives, and policy options to address the problem.
4. Identify decision makers and influencers who will support the policy.
5. Build support by persuading decision makers through various approaches.
6. Draft the specific details and requirements of the policy.
7. Implement the policy along with an enforcement and communication plan.
8. Evaluate and monitor the policy to ensure it is achieving its goals and identify needed changes.
2. INTRODUCTION
• Policy is a formal documented statement of intentions and sets of
actions of an organization/authority to either remove certain
deficiencies or improve the conditions in any particular area of
concern/interest such as housing shortage, food crises, water
contamination, growing poverty etc.
• It could either be a part of an overall development policy and
strategy of the country could be a specific document addressing a
particular issue i.e. Food Security Policy, Poverty Reduction
Strategy, National Housing Policy
3. STEPS FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT
1. Describe the problem.
2. Asses readiness for policy development.
3. Develop goals, objectives and policy options.
4. Identify decision makers and influencers.
5. Build support for the policy.
6. Draft and/or revise the policy.
7. Implement the policy.
8. Evaluate and monitor the policy.
4. 1. DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM
• This forms a foundation for developing clear goals, assessing options, and building support for
the policy among decision makers.
• To understand the problem we need to find out
CAUSES – origin of the problem and what has contributed to its development.
IMPACT – extent of the problem and cost of the problem in the community.
PERCEPTION – whether others see it as a problem or not.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS – what has been done to solve the problem in the community? What are
the potential policy and non policy solutions? What could be the cost and benefits of various
solutions?
• Make a quick estimate of resources required to deal with the problem.
• Search for information from various sources : data.
5. 2. ASSESS READINESS FOR POLICY
DEVELOPMENT
• Here we determine whether to proceed or not.
• This decision is based on whether the community is ready for a specific policy and the
organization is ready to lead or support the process.
• Can be assessed by
Community – who will be supportive or unsupportive? What are the public opinions? Reasons to
oppose? Are there any other policies already made to solve this? How successful they have
been?
Organization – are there adequate resources and time to develop a policy? Does it fit the
mandate?
This can be assessed by Force Field Analysis – forces will either drive or restrain the process.
6. 3. DEVELOP GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND
POLICY OPTIONS.
• Define clear goals and objectives for the policy change and generate a list of policy options,
which can be considered as options by the decision maker.
• Putting up more options- shows flexibility and willingness for negotiation.
• Develop one or two goals – these are broad statements summarizing the ultimate direction or
desired achievement of the policy.
• Develop your objectives- these are brief statements specifying the desired impact or effects of a
policy.
• Objectives should be SMART- specific, measurable, acceptable, realistic and time bound.
• The policy should fit in all the objectives to be fulfilled to solve the health issue.
7. 4. IDENTIFY DECISION MAKERS AND
INFLUENCERS.
• Identify the decision-maker who will focus of the support-building efforts.
• Choosing wrong people or wrong time can waste resources and may even affect the future
strategies.
• Find out the best person to approach by the help of the stake holders.
• Find out the factors which the decision makers consider- media coverage, own beliefs and
values, need of the clients or constituency, other influential individuals and groups.
8. 5. BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE POLICY.`
• Choose channels and vehicles through which to try to persuade the decision-makers to proceed
with policy development.
• Choose a mixture of approaches to build support for your policy.(eg- quiet negotiation, public
briefs, sharing information, letter writing, etc.
• Focus messages on- links between policy and the compelling issue, simple decriptions of
solutions, signs that change is desired.
• Prepare counter arguments – too costly, increase regulations restrict individual freedoms, or if
there are non-policy solution.
9. 6. DRAFT OR REVISE THE POLICY
• Define the specific logistical and legal details about a policy.
• The précised wording of a policy often dictates whether or not it is passed.
• Include –
The purpose of the policy.
The description of the regulations and sanctions.
Procedures for non compliance.
A plan for promoting and disseminating the policy.
Aplan for monitoring and evaluating the policy.
• Consult the legal professional about the policy and community consultations are often required.
• Ensure goals and objectives are met.
10. 7. IMPLEMENT THE POLICY.
• Ensure all the pre-requisites are in place for the policy implementation and then implement the
policy.
• This is done because, many policies have been retracted after realizing that implementation is
impractical or progress is not visible.
• Consult with people responsible for funding, implementing and otherwise acting on the policy
implementation is considered.
• Ensure that the policy implementation plan includes:
Clear communication.
An enforcement plan.
Signage.
11. 8. EVALUATE AND MONITOR THE
POLICY.
• Early identification of the problems and timely policy amendments may help avoid a policy
being overturned when implementation presents challenges.
• A thorough evaluation will also help to demonstrate accountability to stakeholders and reduce
implementation costs.
• Analyse whether the situation is better than what it was before.
• Asses whether people are happy with the results.
• Consider how to communicate the evaluation findings to the stakeholders.