"Policy analysis or public policy analysis is a technique used in the public administration sub-field of political science..."
The systematic evaluation of the consequences and implications of public policies.
The Policy Process: Describes the steps of policy-making, including identifying a policy problem, setting agenda, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.
Policy Instruments: Explains the different tools and approaches governments use to achieve policy goals, including regulation, taxation, subsidies, grants, and public services.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Examines the economic efficiency of policy choices by comparing the costs and benefits of alternative courses of action.
Stakeholder Analysis: Assesses the perspectives, interests, and power dynamics of individuals, groups, and institutions affected by a policy decision.
Policy Implementation: Studies the methods, resources, and barriers involved in implementing policy decisions in practice, including monitoring and evaluation.
Policy Evaluation: Evaluates the impact and effectiveness of policy interventions on specific outcomes, often applying statistical and experimental methods.
Political Institutions and Processes: Examines the political structures, actors, and dynamics that shape policy-making at national, state, and local levels, including legislatures, courts, interest groups, and media.
Public Finance: Analyzes the sources, distribution, and allocation of public resources, including taxation, debt, budgeting, and social welfare programs.
Comparative Public Policy: Compares and contrasts policy choices and outcomes across countries, regions, and historical periods, considering cultural, economic, and political factors.
Policy Advocacy: Explores the strategies and tactics employed by individuals and organizations to influence policy decisions, including lobbying, public campaigns, and media outreach.
"People who regularly use policy analysis skills and techniques on the job, particularly those who use it as a major part of their job duties..."
"...to examine and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of laws and elected officials."
"People who regularly use policy analysis skills and techniques on the job... are generally known by the title Policy Analyst."
"The process is also used in the administration of large organizations with complex policies."
"Policy analysis can be divided into two major fields: - Analysis of existing policy, which is analytical and descriptive... - Analysis for new policy, which is prescriptive..."
"It attempts to explain policies and their development."
"It is involved with formulating policies and proposals (for example: to improve social welfare)."
"Policy Analysis is the process of identifying potential policy options that could address your problem and then comparing those options to choose the most effective, efficient, and feasible one."
"Policy analysis is frequently deployed in the public sector..."
"...is equally applicable elsewhere, such as nonprofit organizations and non-governmental organizations."
"Policy analysis has its roots in systems analysis..."
"...an approach used by United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in the 1960s."
"A combination of two kinds of policy analyses together with program evaluation is defined as policy studies."
"The areas of interest and the purpose of analysis determine what types of analysis are conducted."
"...a technique used in the public administration sub-field of political science..."
"...nonprofit organizations, and others to examine and evaluate the available options..."
"Analysis for new policy is involved with formulating policies and proposals (for example: to improve social welfare)."
"The process of 'determining which of various policies will achieve a given set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals.'"
"...enable civil servants, nonprofit organizations, and others to examine and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of laws and elected officials."