AGRO PARKS “The Policy Cycle” Alex Page Baku November 2014

Content of presentation  What is it?  The 8 steps  Agenda setting  Define the issue  Understanding the situation  Develop and appropriate option  Prepare for delivery  Commit to responsibilities  Implement and monitor  Evaluate and adapt

What is it?  The Policy Cycle provides a framework for open policy- making.  It sets out the principles and behaviours we should apply as policy makers when working as “one team” to co- create policy with our stakeholders, specialists and delivery partners.  The Cycle comprises 8 stages.  As well as specific action to take at each stage, there are several important themes that apply throughout the cycle.

What is it? Agenda setting Define the issue Understand the situation Develop & appraise options Implement & monitor Evaluate & adapt Prepare for delivery Commit to responsibilities Outcome focus

 Listen to and engage with our stakeholders.  Use Horizon Scanning to future-proof policies and identify risks and opportunities to the delivery of outcomes.  Use lessons learned from Policy Evaluation, Impact Assessment and Continuous Improvement activities to direct agenda.  Use the Business Planning process to plan, prioritise your work, and ensure that it is aligned to priorities. Agenda Setting

Define the issue  Clarify scope, determine the nature of the risks and benefits; and better understand the expected resources required;  Use stakeholder engagement tools to consider wider views and to try and reach a common understanding of the problem being addressed;  Identify key civil society and other constituents, engage proactively with stakeholder groups to consider their views and agree the outcomes sought;  Consider how you will manage and deliver the work;

Define the issue (cont)  Consider whether a separate business case is needed, or if your business plan provides sufficient justification for the activity.  Use Assurance Prompts to identify whether you need to engage with specialist colleagues to develop your proposals.

Understand the situation  Is there a rationale for Government intervention, or are others better placed to act.  If regulation is an option, test emerging ideas against the Guiding principles for Global/EU legislation.  Develop an Impact Assessment (IA) in collaboration with evidence colleagues.  Finalise the Strategic Business Case where applicable to reflect greater clarity on scope, deliverables and resource needs and seek approval to proceed if necessary.

Understand the situation (cont)  Agree how you will manage the activity, considering governance structures.  Complete a Risk Potential Assessment, if appropriate.  Plan if and when the policy will require high level clearance.

Develop and appraise options  Apply the evidence gathered to identify options for delivering the policy and test these with stakeholders and through consultation;  Work with your evidence colleagues to embed policy evaluation in policy design;  Consider the range of approaches that could be used to influence behaviour;  Involve a wide range of specialists and delivery networks to develop the Impact Assessment;

Develop and appraise options (cont)  Develop an outline business case where appropriate, for agreement of options;  Use Assurance Prompts to check whether additional specialist input is required to assure options;  Update the Impact Assessment;  Seek clearance for the policy / regulations.

Lets break for Lunch

Prepare for delivery  Engage with stakeholders and agree detailed delivery arrangements, including reporting processes to ensure that the chosen option is implemented effectively;  Keep stakeholders engaged to facilitate effective delivery;  Plan for monitoring and evaluation;  Update the Impact Assessment to full;  Consider any Government or high level interests.

Commit to responsibilities  Formally commit to responsibility/accountability for delivery;  Establish timetable and responsibility for post implementation evaluation and monitor the evaluation;  Develop a Full Business Case where appropriate;  Seek final high level approval of the delivery arrangements.

Implement and monitor  Monitor progress to ensure implementation is on schedule and that monitoring systems are effective;  Engage with stakeholders to obtain their view of policy success;  Implement the delivery of the policy, working with stakeholders as appropriate;  Monitor the implementation, gather evidence and report progress to inform decision making and to communicate with stakeholders throughout implementation;  Collect data and undertake evaluation.

Evaluate and adapt  Evaluate to determine whether the implementation of the policy has been successful, including gathering stakeholder views;  Continue to analyse evidence gathered from monitoring activities;  Undertake formal evaluation to determine whether benefits have been realised and outcomes delivered;  Use lessons learned as part of process of Continuous Improvement;  Embed learning from evaluation into Impact Appraisals for further policy design.

Thank you for your attention! Alex Page