PPA 503 The Public Policy Making Process

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PPA 503 The Public Policy Making Process

• Lecture 4d Definition Frame the Problem

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How to Define A Policy Problem

• Goal Ability to recognize problematic conditions
  and to define the policy problem they present.
• Objective Problem definition.
• Scope Individual or collective local or broader
  in impact well known or unrecognized widely
  discussed or little considered past, present, or
  anticipated.

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How to Define A Policy Problem

• Product
• For purpose A, getting a problem on the public
  agenda
• Written problem description with (or without)
  explanation of causes and with (or without)
  proposed solution.
• For purpose B, aiding policy choice
• Written policy analysis with (or without)
  recommendation.
• Strategy Provision of information necessary to
  your purpose.

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Purpose A Get a Problem on the Public Agenda

• You want to bring public attention to a problem
  of concern to you.
• Task 1. Describe the problem and identify the
  stakeholders.
• Recognize problematic conditions, characterize
  the problem that those conditions create, specify
  the individuals and collectives who have a stake
  in the problem or its solution.

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Purpose A Get a Problem on the Public Agenda

• Task 1. Describe the problem and identify the
  stakeholders (contd.).
• To increase awareness and recognize public
  interests, proceed in any of the following ways
• Work from observation of experiences, practices,
  effects.
• Work from subjective constructions.
• Work from unfinished business.
• Work from anticipation.
• Work from ignorance.
• Work from knowledge.
• Work from values.

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Purpose A Get a Problem on the Public Agenda

• Task 2. Specify the Issues.
• Think about the impacts of the problem. Wh or
  what is affected by it?
• Conceive the problem narrowly then broadly. Is
  it individual and local or more widespread?
• Conceive it broadly then narrowly. Is it widely
  distributed or concentrated?
• Think about attitudes. How do different
  stakeholders perceive the problem? What values
  (ideals, beliefs, assumptions) are expressed in
  their definitions?
• Think about authority. How do stakeholders want
  to address the problem? Do they see government
  action as a solution? Do they agree or disagree
  on governments role?

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Purpose A Get a Problem on the Public Agenda

• Task 3. Offer solutions (if you are proposing a
  solution.
• Solutions typically rely on policy instruments
  that governments can use.
• If you already have a positive and feasible
  solution to suggest, do so.
• If you need to think about it, if you want to
  counter with a proposed solution, or if you want
  to create fresh alternatives, stimulate your
  thinking with any of the following approaches.
• Review the problematic conditions with a fresh
  eye, looking for unnoticed solutions.
• Reconsider a tried-but-failed or a
  known-but-ignored solution to find new potential.
• Look at a problem from a different perspective.
• Assign it to a different governmental level or
  jurisdiction if government already addresses the
  problem.
• Consult with nonprofit groups and nongovernmental
  organizations that are concerned about the
  problem.
• Consider doing nothing.

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Purpose A Get a Problem on the Public Agenda

• Task 4. Write the document problem description
  and definition.
• Before you write, use the method in chapter 2 to
  determine the rhetorical framework (audience,
  purpose, context, situation) for your
  communication.
• If the type of communication is given to you, use
  it in accordance with the rhetorical framework.
• Two types of documents
• Letter or essay describing the problematic
  conditions, possible identifying the causes of
  the conditions.
• Letter or essay conveying informed opinion,
  possibly advocating an approach to the problem.
• The type of communication should reflect the
  needs and expectations of your audience as well
  as you.

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Purpose A Get a Problem on the Public Agenda

• Task 4. Write the document problem description
  and definition (contd.).
• Problem descriptions in any form are expected to
  answer the following questions.
• What are the problematic conditions? What
  problem do they cause?
• What are the issues for policy?
• What is your concern? What is your intended
  readers concern?
• Who else is concerned (on all sides)?
• What are the key disagreements and agreements
  among those concerned?
• What plausible and realistic solution can you
  offer? (optional)

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Purpose B Aid Policy Choice

• Stakeholders recognize a problem. They will
  consider alternatives. You are asked to present
  a definition of the problem and to review the
  policy alternatives.
• Your intended audience might be policy makers, an
  interested community, or the general public.
• Follow a strategy of formal analysis using
  quantitative or qualitative methods.

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Purpose B Aid Policy Choice

• Task 1. Identify the problem and the
  stakeholders.
• What is the problem? What brings it to attention?
• Why does the problem occur? What conditions lead
  to it?
• Whose behavior is affected, or whose concerns are
  relevant? Who are the target beneficiaries of
  solutions to the problem? Who are the
  implementers of the policy to solve it?
• What stake does each (affected groups, target
  beneficiaries, implementers of policy) have in
  the problem?
• How does each define the problem?
• What ideals and values (equity, liberty,
  efficiency, security, loyalty) or ideologies
  (vision of how the world is or how it should be)
  are expressed in each definition?
• What conflicts of values or ideologies are
  evident among stakeholders?
• How does politics influence the problem?

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Purpose B Aid Policy Choice

• Task 2. Specify alternative solutions and
  relevant criteria for evaluating them.
• What are the goals/objectives of a public policy
  to solve this problem?
• What policy instruments might achieve the
  goals/objectives?
• What are at least two (alternative) policies to
  meet the need?
• What are the relevant criteria for choosing the
  best one? How do stakeholders weigh the criteria?
  How appropriate are the weights? What are the
  trade-offs among criteria?
• What would be the outcome of each alternative
  according to the criteria you consider relevant?

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Purpose B Aid Policy Choice

• Task 3. Recommend an alternative and explain
  your reasoning (if you are making a
  recommendation).
• Which policy option or instrument do you
  recommend? Why is it best? Why are other
  alternatives worse?
• What is the basis for your recommendation? What
  type of analysis supports it?
• How will your choice affect stakeholders?
• On what conditions (political, economic,
  organizational) does successful implementation of
  your choice depend?
• What are the constraints (political, economic,
  organizational) on implementing your choice?

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Purpose B Aid Policy Choice

• Task 4. Write the document policy analysis with
  (or without) recommendation.
• Before you write, use the method in Chapter 2 to
  frame your communication rhetorically and to plan
  it.
• Use prescribed format. If free to choose, most
  common format is the policy memorandum.
• See USGAO website for examples www.gao.gov.
• Policy analysis in any form should
• Characterize a problem according to its size,
  scope, incidence, effects, perceptions of it, and
  influences on it.
• Identify policy choices available to address the
  problem.
• Offer perspectives to assist choice making.
• Specify the basis for selecting any proposed
  recommendation (the type of analysis performed),
  the effects for different groups, and the factors
  that will affect its implementation.