How do we go about determining whether the policy is good policy? In other words, you have achieved the desired objectives of the organization and the required results.
A relatively simple way to determine if the policy is effective is to apply the following 17 criteria. The 17 features can be used as an audit tool to identify any documentation deficiencies prior to implementation.
The 17 characteristics of a good policy are;
The results are clearly established.
The assumptions are clear and explicit.
There is a link with the management of the organization.
Due process has been observed in the development stage.
Stakeholders have been included in the development.
Public interest has been given high priority.
The expectations of the organization have been met.
The policy is likely to be efficient and effective.
The results are expressed in measurable terms.
There is an ability to evaluate the results.
It has been duly funded and full of resources.
There is clear accountability.
Follow all appropriate laws.
It is required.
It is historically informed.
Ideas have been tested before implementation.
Policy outcomes are clearly stated.
The policy must have a clear purpose and outcome if it is to have any value to the organization. It is important that staff recognize the problem that is being addressed through the implementation of the policy. It is extremely difficult to implement a policy in a situation where people do not perceive the need to develop or implement a specific policy unit. If the policy is implemented to support an organization in its growth and development, it is imperative that the outcomes of the policy are clearly stated so that everyone understands why the policy was implemented and what are the expectations of the policy.
The assumptions are explicit.
Part of the policy statement should clearly state why the policy has been written and what implementation is expected to achieve. Part of the consultative process prior to the implementation of the policy should be a testing of the process and ideas about why the policy should be implemented. One of the common problems within organizations is that people at all levels of the organization believed that next year’s policy meant to solve the specific problem may not necessarily exist throughout the organization. Assumptions that have been made about why the policy needs to be implemented must be tested within the organizational context. Is it a perceived problem in a department, a rules problem that needs to be addressed from an organizational point of view, or is it a specific problem related to that department and you had particular staff within the department.
There is a link with the management of the organization.
Policy makers need to ensure that policies are linked to the overall direction and objectives of the organization. The overall business framework will provide some strategic direction and will be important in assessing the direction of organizational policies. Policy writers must ensure that the policy supports existing policies and procedures within the organization. One of the tests of a good policy is that it supports the organization in achieving its goals and objectives. Often time policy through its implementation can, in fact, hinder the achievement of organizational objectives by staff. Policies should be seen as pillars that support the structure of an organization. The policy should be written in such a way that it removes obstacles for staff and enables them to better reach their full potential.
Due process has been observed.
Organizational rules and principles should be clearly established and understood as part of the policy development process. It is crucial that all components of the organization have some input in the development of the policy.
The policy implemented in one department may seem fair and reasonable until that policy has a deleterious effect on other parts of the organization as a whole.
As part of the organizational framework, the structure that will allow policy development to take place in a concise and engaging manner should be developed and implemented, so that all aspects of the organization have input into policy development and implementation.
Stakeholders have been included.
Stakeholders, in other words, those who are directly affected by the implementation of the policy and the outcomes of the policy, should have some inclusive process developed by which they can participate in the development of the policy. Therefore, part of the policy development process is to clearly identify who all the stakeholders are. And an appropriate consultative strategy must be implemented as part of the policy development process.
One of the important issues that can arise when stakeholders are invited to participate in policy development is the expectation of each stakeholder that their specific outcomes or desires will be achieved through policy implementation. It is often difficult, indeed almost impossible, to achieve all the desired results from each stakeholder group.
One of the key components of policy development is to discuss with each of the stakeholder groups the outcomes of the policies to be implemented. When these results clearly do not meet the expectations of the interested parties, it is imperative that the organization identify these problems and resolve these conflicts as much as possible.
Public interest has been given high priority.
All public public policy must have as its main public interest. In other words, has the policy been written with the overall outcome and expectation that the public will be better off as a result of implementing a policy? One of the main challenges for the government in implementing the policy is to ensure that the impacts of the policy do not have deleterious effects on members of the community.
The expectations of the organization have been met.
Policy writers need to realize that they have two audiences that they are dealing with. The first audience is a group of people on whom the policy has a direct impact. In other words, the personnel who will be directly affected by the implementation of the policy. Staff may be required to implement new procedures as a result of the implementation of the new policy. Your work practices may change to some degree. The second audience, and often a more crucial audience, is other leaders within the organization. Have leaders’ expectations addressed and met in the policy outcome. It does little good for the policy to be presented at a board meeting to find that the majority of the board does not, in fact, support the intent of the policy or the specific outcomes.
Policy writers must have a clear understanding of the expectations of the organization and what the intent of the policy is and the outcome as they develop the policy.
The policy is likely to be effective.
The intended policy is to achieve a specific result and the result must be effective in terms of the impact it has on the organization. Part of the consultation process is carried out properly and will help identify areas where the policy may not be effective within the organization.
Politics is efficient and profitable.
Policy directives should ensure that the organization’s resources are used appropriately. Very little is achieved from the new policy being implemented as a cost impact on the organization is significant.
politics is measurable
This refers to measurable indicators that will provide evidence that a specific policy is having the desired effect. This is especially useful for the evaluation stage of the policy cycle.
There is evaluation capacity.
As indicated in the desired characteristic above, the ability to measure the effectiveness of any policy gives it the ability to be evaluated. Policy evaluation helps an organization determine effectiveness and potential areas where change is needed, allowing that particular organization to work at its most efficient level.
It is adequately funded
An organization must not only ensure that its policies and policy development initiatives are adequately and appropriately funded, but it is imperative to identify and reserve the necessary funds for their implementation. Your organization should have a budget for these initiatives; stay within budget.
clear responsibility
It should be readily apparent in the policy which persons and departments are responsible for which actions and within which time frame. Everyone from policy officers to the direct worker is responsible for some part of the policy, whether it is the proper use of funds, proper protocols for developments, or recommended implementations, they should be held directly accountable.
Follow all appropriate laws.
Policies, whether within government organizations or companies, must comply with certain laws. If policy officers are unsure whether their proposed policy crosses any legal lines, then the organizations’ lawyers should be consulted. Failing to do so and allowing inappropriate policies to be implemented could be very costly legally.
is required
An unenforceable policy is not worth the time and effort invested in it, let alone the paper it is written on. If the policy is practical, then it should be enforceable. If not, it may need to be reviewed and modified.
is historically informed
If an organization isn’t paying attention to past experiences, it often finds itself “reinventing the wheel.” It is a waste of time, effort and money. Using a good policy framework can help prevent duplication, as the organization must constantly review and revise, as necessary, all policies, learning from evaluations.
The ideas have been tested.
Ideas can be tested through “field tests” or “trials.” However, more practically, testing can be accomplished by looking back with a historical view, as mentioned above. Consultations with staff and others who understand and have better “first-hand” experience can also be helpful when testing a proposed policy.
If policy implementation is to be effective in achieving policy outcomes, it is crucial that an audit of the policy is carried out prior to implementation using the above 17 criteria as a guide.
The 17 characteristics of a good policy also provide a solid foundation to allow the policy to be regularly reviewed and evaluated. It is critical that the existing policy is regularly reviewed and evaluated to ensure that the policy outcomes and organizational objectives that it was originally intended to achieve are still being achieved.
