PPA 503 – The Public Policy Making Process

1. PPA 503 – The Public Policy Making Process Lecture 4d – Definition: Frame the Problem

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 government’s role?

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 reader’s 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)

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. 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?

13. 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?

14. 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.