Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Understanding the Process

CDFS-13

Tackling the problems of youth at risk must involve many people and organizations in communities. Developing coalitions of concerned individuals and groups can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of efforts by combining strengths and resources.

Once the coalition is formed, training in areas such as group dynamics, methods of problem solving, dealing with conflict and controversy, public policy process, issue analysis and working with public officials may be beneficial. One task of a coalition might be to adapt, create or develop public policy.

Clearly, not all problems that affect you are public policy problems. Some may be readily resolved through the problem-solving process. The effectiveness of problem-solving can improve when the method is understood.

The Problem-Solving Method

Define the Problem

Compare how things are now and the way you would like them to be. How long has the problem existed? How frequently does it occur? Who is affected?

Determine the Cause(s)

This involves finding the cause of the gap between the present and the desired state.

Develop Alternative Approaches

List all possible solutions.

Assess the Consequences

Consider possible results of each alternative. Who is affected? Who pays?

Select a Solution

Choose one feasible alternative that is acceptable to the group.

Implement the Chosen Solution

Plan strategies for carrying out the plan. Most of the work is in this step.

Evaluate

Look back to review how things went. What was successful? What went wrong? Why?

These questions guide a coalition or individual through the policy analysis process.

Selecting Issues For Analysis

• Is there a decision to be made by government?
• Can the analysis significantly influence the adoption of various alternatives?
• Does the issue involve large costs or major consequences for services?
• Is there substantial room for improving program performance?

Feasibility of Analysis

• Can the problem be handled by program analysis?
• Is there time for the analysis to be done before key decisions must be made?
• Are personnel and funds available to do the analysis?
• Does sufficient data exist to undertake the analysis?
• Can the needed data be gathered within the time available?

Generic Critical Questions Regarding Policy Analysis

• What are the purposes of the policy?
• Why should it be adopted?
• What is to be changed by it in both the immediate future and long term?
• How would you know if the policy had the intended impact?
• What would be accepted as evidence of its success?
• Who or what is the target of the policy?
• Is the public as a whole affected? How, directly or indirectly?
• Who else will the policy effect?
• What are the possible side effects . . . immediate and long-run?
• What would the likely consequences be if the new policy were implemented or another discontinued?
• What would be the reaction of citizens in the community?
• Who would complain?
• Who would be glad? Why?

Criteria For Selecting Final Set of Measures Importance

Does the measure provide useful and important information on the program that justifies the difficulties in collecting, analyzing or presenting the data?

Validity

Does the measure address the aspect of concern? Can changes in the value of the measure be clearly interpreted as desirable or undesirable? Can the changes be directly attributed to the program?

Uniqueness

Does the information provided by the measure duplicate or overlap with information provided by another measure?

Accuracy

Are the likely data sources sufficiently reliable or are there biases, exaggerations, omissions or errors that are likely to make the measure inaccurate or misleading?

Timeliness

Can the data be analyzed in time for the decision?

Privacy and Confidentiality

Are there concerns for privacy or confidentiality that would prevent analyst from obtaining the required information?

Costs of data collection

Can the resource or cost requirements for data collection be met?

Completeness

Does the final set of measures cover the major aspects of the concern?

References

Anderson, James E. Public Policy Making. 2d ed. 1979.

Harty, Harry P., Richard E. Winnie and Donald M. Fisk. Practical Program Evaluation For State And Local Governments. 2d ed. 1981.

Harty, Harry P., Louis Blair, Donald Fisk and Wayne Kimmel. Program Analysis For State And Local Government. 1976.

Stebbins, Monine and Inge McNeese. One Step Away. Oregon Family Community Leadership HE-16-2L. 1983.