Public Policy Process: Policy formulation and implementation approaches Ghanashyam Bhattarai bhattaraig.62@gmail.com

Policy Formulation A public Policy is generally formulated through political channels by policy making organizations; interest groups, government offices, legislatures, executives and judiciaries through notices, directives, regulations, executive orders, Laws, ordinances and decrees and administrative and court decisions 2

Public Policy Formulation a decision making process and involves identification and analysis of a range of actions in response to the public concerns 3

Steps in Public Policy Formulation Identification/ Preparation: Knowing issue Planning: resources, time, logistics Contact: stakeholders, opinion leaders Knowing Pulse: Affected communities Positivism in attitude: Emphasis on deliveries Participation: Involve as many people possible Publicity: Sharing through media Persistence: Continuity in efforts 4

Public Policy Formulation Government of Nepal had a policy on rural water supply services that the household water demand for the rural population would be 45 lpcd and water is delivered in public stand posts for 5 households at a distance not more than 150 m horizontal and 50 m vertical distance. 5

Public Policy Implementation Involve all activities designed to carry out the policies enacted These activities may include creation of new organizations, departments agencies, bureaus or assignments of new responsibilities to existing organizations 6

Elements of Public Policy Implementation Organization (no an institution) Interpretation Application Coordination of resources to achieve intended goals 7

Policy Implementation Steps Study of the requirements Taking risk assessment into account Optimizing and aligning document(s) Structuring document Writing document Getting document approved Training and awareness of employees 8

Approaches to Public Policy Implementation Top to Bottom Approach Bottom up Approach Managerial Approach Principal Agent Approach 9

Approaches to ……. Top to Bottom Approach Adapts prospective of higher level officials Only for single dominant policy or agency Change as they are being implemented 10

Approaches to ……. Bottom up Approach Difficult to evaluate Difficult to separate the influence of individuals and levels of government 11

Approaches to ……. Managerial Approach Driven by market Decentralized process Paradigm shift from hierarchy to participation and teamwork 12

Approaches to ……. Principal Agent Approach Driven by market Decentralized process Paradigm shift from hierarchy to participation and teamwork 13

Factors Affecting Policy Implementation Media Politics Economy Environment 14

Conditions for successful Implementation of Policy Contains Unambiguous directives and structures Leaders possess substantial managerial and political skills and professional knowledge Supported by organized constituency groups, legislatures and judiciary Relative priority of statuary objectives is not undermined 15

Problems in Policy Implementation Lack of staff Lack of resources Gigantic targets Lack of higher level support Shortage of time Lack of will and accountability Corruption and vested interest Lack of team spirit 16

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