Policy Issues

PMAP 3311: CRITICAL POLICY ISSUES Fall 2014

Prof. Reynold V. Galope Department of Public Management and Policy

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Georgia State University

Policy Memo Reminders December 1, 2014

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Submission

Date: December 8 (Monday)

Hard copy – follow recommended outline and minimum and maximum number of pages (use 11 or 12 font size)

− I will also require a comparative matrix

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Outline To: [Enter name, position, and organization of the recipient] Thru: [Enter name and position of endorsing authority] (optional) From: [Enter your name and organization here] Re: [Type in what the policy paper is about] Date:[Type in complete date here] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Executive Summary 1. Policy Problem 2. Framework of Analysis/ Evaluation Criteria 3. Evaluation of Policy Options 4. Policy Recommendation References/Citations Appendices

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Executive Summary one single-spaced page

represents the whole paper by providing a synopsis of all main parts and findings of the paper

main function is to satisfy the needs of readers who: 1. will not read the entire paper, or 2. are interested only in the paper’s findings and

recommendations

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 1: The Policy Issue/Problem 1-2 single-spaced pages

demonstrates that an urgent problem exists and your paper is worth reading identifies, defines, and elaborates on the problem that the paper seeks to address

(1) background of the problem – history of the problem, its causes, past policies and their outcomes (2) current state of the problem – current extent and impact of the problem, who is (adversely) affected, current policy and its successes and failures

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 2: Framework of Analysis/ Evaluation Criteria

1-2 single-spaced pages (1 page preferred)

established prior to the identification and discussion of policy alternatives a statement of the ideals and values (e.g. efficiency, equity) that will guide the evaluation of policy alternatives

commonly used evaluation criteria: − effectiveness, efficiency, social equity, individual liberty and

economic freedom − legal feasibility, political and social acceptability,

administrative operability

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 3: Evaluation of Policy Options 2-3 single-spaced pages (maximum of 4 pages) main part of the paper first, identify policy options to address the problem elaborated in part [1]

1. include status quo (or current policy) 2. at least two serious policy alternatives to the

status quo describe each policy option

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 3: Evaluation of Policy Options Continued second, present an argument for and against each policy option based on the framework of analysis established in part [2]

show how each policy option compares to other alternatives (e.g. policy option 1 is more effective than policy option 2 but may be more costly to implement) -- use a comparative matrix to summarize your analysis

confront the trade-offs

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 3: Evaluation of Policy Options Continued CRITERIA Option 1

(Land Sharing) Option 2

(Construction of On-site Collective Houses)

Option 3 (In-situ Upgrading excluding relay -outing, housing dev’t)

Fiscal Feasibility High (Cost: $ 50 million)

Moderate (Cost: $ 70 million)

High (Cost: $ 40 million)

Avenue for Greater Community Participation

High (if resistance is managed)

Moderate (if unmanaged)

High High

Ability to Minimize Dislocation High Moderate High

Land Use Efficiency Moderate High Low

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 3: Evaluation of Policy Options Continued absence of a dominant policy alternative

OPTIONS Efficiency Equity Political Acceptability

Administrative Operability

NB: P50 B (Low)

NB: P200B (High)

POLICY GOALS/CRITERIA

Policy Option 1 High High Low

Policy Option 2 Low Low High

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 3: Evaluation of Policy Options Continued absence of a dominant policy alternative

remedies: 1. Define a “higher-level” objective or criteria

2. Get the client/superior to rank objectives/criteria. Then determine which alternative/s satisfy the top objective.

3. Don’t optimize but “SATISFICE” – select a solution that may not be the best, but one that is good enough and can be agreed upon.

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Part 4: Policy Recommendation one single-spaced page

state your preferred policy option succinctly and clearly lay out the argument for why that option is better than each of the others a “call to action”

if possible, also provide practical steps to implement your preferred policy (e.g. do you need a communications plan, secure additional budget, restructure units within the agency, partner with other agencies and organizations)

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Citations/References

at least 3 good citations for your problem analysis

at least 1 good citation for each policy alternative (solution analysis)

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Executive Summary (1 single-spaced page) 1. Policy Problem (1-2 pages) 2. Framework of Analysis/ Evaluation Criteria (1-2

pages) 1 page preferred 3. Evaluation of Policy Options (2-3 pages) maximum of

4 pages 4. Policy Recommendation (1 page) References/Citations Appendices (comparative matrix, other relevant tables and figures)

Important: Text (excluding references and appendices) beyond 10 single-spaced pages will not be read

1. REMINDER FOR THE POLICY MEMO

Grading Criteria 1. Is the policy problem clearly and convincingly defined? Does your

problem description convince the reader that an urgent problem exist?

15%

2. Is the basis on which the policy options (that can potentially address the problem) will be evaluated clearly defined and explained? Are these the appropriate evaluation criteria?

10%

3. Are serious policy options identified and evaluated? Is the evaluation of each of these options convincing and logically argued?

50%

4. Do you demonstrate that your chosen policy alternative represents the best solution to the problem? Do you outline a course of action to facilitate policy adoption and implementation?

25%

TOTAL 100%

2. OTHER REMINDERS

I’m cancelling class on Wednesday (Dec 3) − use the extra time wisely − use it to revise/finalize/strengthen your policy

memo and/or meet/correspond with the CTW consultant

feedback on Lyle (CTW consultant) − how many students have consulted Lyle? − experience working with him? − do you recommend hiring 2 CTW consultants

(instead of 1) for next spring

2. OTHER REMINDERS

Course synthesis and final exam review on December 8 (Monday)

Students who are missing issue papers (or submitted out-of-topic papers) − are encouraged to submit for partial credit − each issue paper (position paper) is worth

6.25% (6.25% * 4 papers = 25%)