Policy Management Project purpose in an organization

Policy Management Project purpose in an organization

This is a paper that describes the Policy Management Project purpose in an organization and the role PMP plays to parties or individuals.

Policy Management Project (PMP) purpose in an organization – role of PMP

Firstly, introduce the policy situation to address in this paper.  The situation should be described as specifically as possible.  For example, a general issue in public policy–say, “education reform”–is not appropriate for this paper.  Rather, continuing the example of education reform, a more specific and appropriate problem might be “Lack of qualified teachers in the District of Columbia.”  In many cases, the analysis of the problem (or opportunity) will be a key part of the inquiry.  The description of the issue, and its background, should also include a research of relevant literature.  This should address what others have to say about the situation and what others have done to deal with it.  You should provide some evidence to establish that it is indeed a problem or that an opportunity exists.

Secondly, discuss the key individuals and institutions relevant to the policy issue.  All policy issues have interested parties and groups—sometimes referred to as stakeholders.  For example, such individuals and institutions could include senior government officials, government agencies, non-government organizations, corporations, interest groups, etc.  These key people and groups are interested enough in the issue that they not only have a position, but they are also highly likely to engage during the decision process or the implementation of the solution.  They also include those affected by the policy.

PMP Continuation

Thirdly, identify at least three alternative approaches to solving the policy problem or achieving an opportunity.  Typically one of these is the status quo, the current state of affairs that prompts the problem to be solved or leaves the opportunity unfulfilled.  Each should have reasonable prospects for success.
Describe the criteria that you will use to assess the relative merit of each alternative approach.  Typical criteria include cost, schedule, performance, feasibility, and/or risk.  Be specific about how you will “measure” each criterion, even if it is in qualitative terms.  Consider applying weighting to distinguish the relative importance of each criterion to the policy outcome.

Fourthly, analyze the relative merits of each alternative.  In general, it is not enough to describe pros and cons.  Instead, the analysis will be more thorough and the results more persuasive to decision makers if the analysis applies specific criteria to establish the merits of each alternative.  A decision matrix can be an effective way to present the results.

Lastly, recommend a preferred approach and provide the rationale for its selection.   The outcome should not be to choose a hybrid of the individual candidate approaches.
Describe an implementation strategy to adopt the preferred approach.  The implementation strategy should take into account any impediments to implementation and address the means to deal with each.  A “force field analysis” can help reveal the implementation challenges and enablers.  You should also explain how you will measure the outcomes to establish success.