1. Policy Analysis in a political context: Northern Gateway Pipeline case study

2. Today’s agenda Analysis vs Advocacy Bardach’s 8 step review
Better list?
Applications to NGP

3. Policy Cycle Model Agenda-Setting Policy Formulation Decisionmaking
Policy Implementation
Monitoring and Evaluation

4. Policy Formulation Thinking Talking Policy analysis of alternatives
Consultation with stakeholders

5. Analysis vs. Advocacy
Analysis
advocacy
Neutral stance on Solutions, Problem framing
Careful, balanced use of evidence
Position based on group’s interest
Strategic framing
More selective use of evidence
Does effective analysis ignore other side’s argument, or engage it?
The best argument explicitly addresses an opponents strongest claim and discredits it with evidence and reason

6. 8-fold path
September 23, 2008
FRST 415/POLI 333

7. Bardach 8-fold path define the problem assemble some evidence
construct the alternatives
select the criteria
project the outcomes
confront the trade-offs
decide!
tell your story
September 23, 2008
FRST 415/POLI 333

8. 6-step Patton and Sawieki – Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning
Verify, define and detail the problem
Establish evaluation criteria
Identify alternative policies
Assess alternative policies
Display and distinguish among alternatives
Implement, monitor, and evaluate the policy

9. Essential Steps Define problem Criteria for evaluation
Identify multiple alternatives
Outcomes/consequences of alternatives
Compare/tradeoff
Recommended decision

10. 1. Problem definition don’t confuse with solutions
quantify if possible
be skeptical about common causal claims

11. 2. Criteria for evaluation
apply to outcomes, not alternatives
build on problem definition
common:
Effectiveness
Efficiency (cost-effectiveness)
equity
political acceptability
robustness and improvability

12. 3. Identify multiple alternatives
start comprehensive, end up focused

13. 4. Project Outcomes/Consequences
projection = model + evidence
attach magnitude estimates
breakeven estimates
avoid excessive optimism
scenario-writing
other person’s shoes

14. 5. Compare/Tradeoff
Commensurability
Confront the tradeoffs

15. 5. Compare/Tradeoff
Alternatives/
criteria

16. Next week: Policy instruments
Which combination of instruments should be used to alter the energy system to reach climate targets?