Policy analysis is a process of evaluating and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a particular policy or set of policies, with the goal of providing recommendations for improvement or change. It is an interdisciplinary approach that combines insights from economics, political science, sociology, law, and other fields to study how public policies impact individuals, organizations, and communities.
Policy analysis steps
- Identifying the problem: The first step in policy analysis is to identify the problem or issue that the policy is intended to address. This involves gathering data and conducting research to understand the scope and nature of the problem.
- Examining the policy: The second step is to evaluate the policy itself, including its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. This may involve reviewing the policy’s design, implementation, and impact.
- Evaluating the policy’s effectiveness: The third step is to assess the policy’s effectiveness in achieving its goals and objectives. This involves analyzing the costs and benefits of the policy, as well as its impact on different stakeholders.
- Identifying potential alternatives: The fourth step is to identify potential alternatives or modifications to the policy that could improve its effectiveness or address its shortcomings.
- Making recommendations: The final step is to make recommendations for policy change or improvement, based on the analysis and evaluation conducted in the previous steps.
Resources
Policies, regulations and laws by department or agency
Services and policies for government and broader Public Sector – BC
Analyze an Existing Policy
What is the issue/problem the policy is trying to address?
Is the policy easy to understand and have a clear objective?
What is the scope of the policy? How many people does it affect? Is it local, or nation wide?
Who are the stakeholders that are affected by the policy (all of the people that are concerned or affected by the policy)?
Are there any economic benefits that should be considered with this policy?
Can you find the approximate financial cost of the policy?
What other benefits are there in this policy? Benefits for who?
Are there any similar policies that exist that are effective or similar (different provinces, countries, etc.)?
Can you think of any changes or additions that might be needed in this policy to strengthen it?
What arguments were there against the policy, if any?
In your opinion, why did this policy succeed in addressing the issue?
Were you unable to answer any of the questions above? How else might you find answers to the questions?