Paraphrasing Einstein, policy implementation should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler (This is the Better Govs motto!). In this blog I summarize 5 actionable tips for effective policy implementation you can start using today. You can download the full guide with examples and practical exercises here.
These 5 tips have been my travel companion as a Cabinet Minister and as a consultant with several international organizations. Now they are engrained in me. The 5 secrets are simple, powerful and backed up by technical knowledge and practical expertise. These are the result of what I learned during my years at the Harvard Kennedy School and my experience using them in the ´real world´, beyond the classroom.
The most important step in policy implementation is to be specific in your goals. It might sound obvious, but believe me, it is not. A clear objective is your reference, your north. A well-defined objective is crystal clear for you and for everyone else involved in the project or policy. Furthermore, it is understood in the same way by everyone involved.
The most useful framework I have found to evaluate your policy alternatives is Harvard’s Strategic Triangle. I have adapted it into the Public Policy Pyramid (Figure 1).
You need to know if your actions are taking you where you want to go. Monitoring your program allows you to assess if you are on track or if you need to change course. You don’t need a fancy system to start, but you do need a way to measure your progress.
Without basic monitoring important program alerts could be delayed, or even missed entirely. You want to proactively analyse what needs to be done and take action. Don’t do a post-mortem on a failed program to suddenly realise all the things you could have done differently or better (The full guide expands on ways to measure progress). Your link text
Make the best decisions you can, with the information you have available. Policies and programs need to adjust as circumstances evolve. In public policy, one of the challenges is the lack of time and space to think about adaptation. There is also resistance to change and risk aversion (Read the full guide that includes an exercise to avoid inertia).
The public sector is rewarding and frustrating at the same time. You have good days and bad days. I learned three important lessons from those bad days:
Government was my home for over a decade. I recognise the struggles of working in the public sector and the frustration of not getting things done. But I also know the excitement of changing lives. To see that your actions have a real impact. I know you share that feeling (which is hopefully why you are reading this blog). Join Better Govs’ new Facebook Group and be part of a community that believes in the power of an effective public sector, and more important, is willing to do something to make it better.
You can download the full guide with examples, practical exercises and a bonus tip here.
Photo credit: James Owen on Unsplash
April 25, 2021
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