Chapter 7:
Program Planning for Success
1.
Describe the usual steps of policy making.
Step 1: Problem Definition and Agenda Setting:
The problem is defined and brought to the attention of the public and
policymakers. Issues become part of the public agenda when they are
considered by a legislature, administrative agency, or court.
Step 2: Formulation of Alternatives:
Possible solutions to the problem are devised.
Step 3: Policy Adoption:
The tools or instruments for dealing with the problem are chosen. Examples
of policy “tools” include regulations, cash grants, loans, tax breaks,
certification, fines, price controls, quotas, public promotion, public
investment, and government-sponsored programs. These tools are wielded
by federal, state, and municipal departments and agencies that are
responsible for implementing policy: After the best solution to the problem
has been agreed upon and the tools for dealing with the problem have been
chosen, the policy is modified to fit the needs, resources, and wants of the
implementing agencies and the intended clientele. Implementation is the
process of putting a policy into action.
Step 4:Policy Implementation
The impact of the policy and the tools used to implement it are evaluated.
The strategies chosen for addressing the problem, using the appropriate tools
agreed upon, are put into place.
Step 5: Policy evaluation:
The purpose of policy evaluation is to determine whether a program is
achieving its stated goals and reaching its intended audience, what the
program is actually accomplishing, and who is benefiting from it.
Step 6:
Policy termination:
A policy or program may be terminated for any of several reasons: the public
need was met, the nature of the problem changed, government no longer had
a mandate in the area, the policy lost political support, private agencies
