The process of policy development and implementation is one in which an idea is conceptualized, developed, adopted, and evaluated.
Policy development is rarely a linear process; instead, the domains of the policy cycle overlap or occur out of order.
Ideally, a problem is defined, potential policy solutions are identified, analyzed, and prioritized, and then the best solution is implemented.
Based on what you learned this week, address the following requirements:
Describe the process of policy development, implementation, and modification.
Discuss transition from policy to a legislative proposal.
Embed course material concepts, principles, and theories (which require supporting citations) in your initial response along with at least three scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. Use academic writing standards and APA style guidelines.
The Process of Policy Development and Implementation
Policy development begins with defining a problem. The problem should be defined as broadly as possible so that solutions can be developed for many different types of problems. Once a problem has been defined, potential policy solutions should be identified.
This entails looking at what has already worked in other areas to see if there are any commonalities between them, how they were implemented (or not), and what worked well about them (Mokitimi et al., 2018). Once this step has been completed, it’s time to analyze these potential solutions and prioritize them based on their ability to address our problem while also addressing any potential concerns associated with them. If your organization is using a specific software package to help you with this analysis process then this would be an excellent time to use it!
Once you’ve identified all potential solutions you can begin implementing them by developing action plans that outline where each solution needs to be implemented within your organization’s current structure (organizational chart)
Policy development, implementation, and modification are all processes that occur within the policy cycle. The process of policy development begins with an idea that is conceptualized. The next step is to develop the idea into a policy proposal. This proposal is then adopted by a decision-making body, implemented, and evaluated.
The process of policy development begins with an idea that is conceptualized. The next step is to develop the idea into a policy proposal. This proposal is then adopted by a decision-making body (e.g., board of directors) and implemented by individuals who have been assigned responsibility for implementing it in their area of expertise (e.g., a researcher). The process evaluates whether or not this particular solution has worked well for everyone involved in its implementation—including those who were unable to implement it in their area of expertise because they lacked adequate resources or training opportunities—and if not, how can it be improved upon so as to ensure more effective results in the future? In other words: How can we improve this system so that it works better for everyone?
In order for policies to continue working well
The process of policy development, implementation, and modification can be broken down into four steps:
1. The problem is defined. In this step, the problem is defined by identifying a need or opportunity that will benefit from a new policy solution.
2. Potential policy solutions are identified. In this step, potential solutions to the problem are identified and analyzed in order to determine which solution has the greatest potential for success.
3. The best solution is selected and implemented. At this stage of the process, a solution is selected based on its ability to address the needs it’s intended to solve while also being feasible in terms of cost and resources needed to bring it into effect (or even create it).
4. Evaluation of results occurs after implementation begins or after new information related to an ongoing project becomes available; evaluation involves assessing whether or not the policy solution was successful in meeting its intended goals and providing value for money spent during its implementation phase (which may last for years).
Policy development and implementation are not always linear processes. Although the process of policy development is a continuous one, it does not always occur in order. For example, some policies that are developed may need to be modified before they can be implemented. If the problem being addressed by a policy is too large or too difficult to solve, it might not be adopted or even considered as a solution until after other efforts have been made (Breda et al., 2018).
The process of policy development is also often affected by external factors such as political pressure or public opinion on an issue. These external factors could lead to changes in the policy cycle as well as delay in implementation of new policies, which can result in lost opportunities for change.
The process of policy implementation occurs when actual measures are taken to implement a new policy; however, this can be done without necessarily following through with all aspects of the plan outlined during its development stage (Campos, 2019). For example, if there was no funding available to implement a particular policy then it would not be possible for that program or service to be carried out at all; therefore, there would be no impact on change at all!
References
Mokitimi, S., Schneider, M., & de Vries, P. J. (2018). Child and adolescent mental health policy in South Africa: history, current policy development and implementation, and policy analysis. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12(1), 1-15.