Presentation Report

COURSE: POLICY-INFORMATICS

COURSE CODE: SCI4103

GROUP MEMBERS:

Anotida M Chapunza N02018630G Mbini Muleya. N02019301Y

Nicolette L Nyoni N02015465T Arthur Majaha N02018562M

Sandile Mpinda N02019678J Nqobile Ngwenya. N02019949W

Joseph G Mponda N02017450B Junior Dube. N02019424M

Sithembinkosi G Mampengesi N02017238R Mufaro Nyagura N02018242B

Malvin Dube N02019452J Stanslaus Gede N02021956F

Milliah K Bunu N02018290A Rosseter V Sibanda N02021995G

Memory Ndou N02017357T

1. Policy formulation

a) Define policy formulation.

Policy formulation refers to the process of identifying courses of action, often

called alternatives or options, to resolve problems faced by a particular

organisation, (Anderson, 2003).

b) Describe and explain the policy formulation process.

Policy Formulation is the process of creating a new policy or revising an existing

one. It involves identifying a problem or issue, conducting research and analysis,

considering different options, and ultimately developing a plan of action. This

process may involve input from stakeholders, experts, and the public, and may

include drafting and revising policy documents.

Agenda Setting:

This stage involves identifying and prioritizing issues that require policy

attention. It includes problem identification, issue framing, and determining the

urgency and importance of the problem.

Policy Analysis:

In this stage, policymakers gather information, conduct research, and analyse data

related to the identified problem. They evaluate the potential impacts, costs, and

benefits of different policy options. This analysis helps in understanding the

feasibility and effectiveness of various policy approaches.

Once the policy options are evaluated, policymakers develop a detailed plan for

addressing the problem. This stage involves defining policy objectives,

establishing targets, and outlining the specific actions or interventions that will be

implemented.

‘Policy formulation occurs in government bureaucracies, interest group offices,

legislative committee rooms, meetings of special commissions, and policy-

planning organizations otherwise known as “think tanks”. The details of policy

proposals are usually formulated by staff members rather than their bosses, but

staffs are guided by what they know their leaders want, Thomas R. Dye (2005).

Policy design also considers the legal, administrative, and financial aspects of

implementation.

Policy Adoption:

At this stage, policymakers formally adopt the policy. It may require approval

from relevant authorities, such as legislative bodies or executive decision-makers.

The adoption process may involve negotiations, consultations, and revisions to

ensure consensus and support for the policy.

For instance if the policy being formulated is a public policy being implemented

by the Government of Zimbabwe, then the stage involves the parliament

deliberating and negotiating the specifics of the policy and also trying to ensure

that is doesn't go against other policies already implemented or whether or not it's
ethical. In this context, Bräuninger and König (1999) show that German

governmental potential for policy change is determined by the formal rules of

bicameralism as well as policy domain-specific distribution of legislators’ party-

orientated policy positions.(Bicameralism is a system of government in which the

legislature has two separate chambers or houses. This is in contrast to

unicameralism, in which the legislature has only one chamber.)

Policy Implementation:

After adoption, the policy moves into the implementation phase. This stage

involves putting the policy plan into action, allocating resources, and establishing

the necessary infrastructure. Implementation requires coordination among

different stakeholders, monitoring progress, and making adjustments as needed.

(Will explain it further in the section underneath)

Policy evaluation assesses the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the

implemented policy. It involves monitoring outcomes, collecting data, and

analysing the results against the intended goals. Evaluation helps policymakers

identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. (Will explain it further

in the section underneath)

Example:

An example of the policy formulation process is the development of the National

Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) for Zimbabwe. The NDS1 is a five-year plan that

outlines the country's economic and social development goals for the period

2021-2025.

The NDS1 was formulated through a participatory process that involved the

government, private sector, civil society, and development partners. The process

began in 2019 with the establishment of a National Development Strategy

Steering Committee. The committee was responsible for overseeing the

development of the NDS1 and ensuring that it was aligned with the country's

long-term vision, as articulated in Vision 2030.

The next step in the process was the development of a draft NDS1. This was

done by a team of experts from different sectors, who consulted with

public for feedback and input.

After the public consultation process, the draft NDS1 was revised and finalized. It

was then submitted to the Cabinet for approval. Once approved by the Cabinet,

the NDS1 was presented to Parliament for adoption.

The NDS1 was adopted by Parliament in February 2021. It is now the guiding

framework for Zimbabwe's economic and social development for the next five

years.

This example shows that the policy formulation process in Zimbabwe can be

participatory and inclusive. However, there have been concerns that the process

is not always transparent and that it can be influenced by political

considerations.
2. Policy implementation

a) Define policy implementation.

Policy Implementation is the process of putting a policy into action. This

involves developing and implementing procedures, allocating resources, and

monitoring and reporting on progress. It may also involve allocating resources,

assigning responsibilities, and establishing monitoring mechanisms.

b) Describe and explain the policy implementation process.

Planning:

This stage involves developing a detailed plan for implementing the policy. It

includes identifying the necessary resources, establishing timelines, and defining

roles and responsibilities. Planning also considers potential challenges and risks

and outlines strategies for addressing them. In the case of implementing a public

policy for instance the government may need to involve different policy actors

from legislators to the media so as to promote the policy on a nationwide scale.

Resources may also need to be acquired that is, man power, vehicles, etc.

Coordination:

Successful policy implementation requires coordination among different

stakeholders, including government agencies, private organizations, non-

Governmental Organisations and the public. This stage involves establishing

communication channels, building partnerships, and ensuring collaboration

among stakeholders. In case of a public policy the key plays are the general

public whom this policy will affect and therefore without their Input the policy is
 bound to fail as they may resist thus by protesting the policy until it's desolation

for examples the CALA Situation in Morden Day Zimbabwe.

Implementation:

This stage involves putting the policy plan into action. It includes allocating

resources, establishing the necessary infrastructure, and implementing the

specific actions or interventions outlined in the policy. Implementation requires

effective leadership, management, and supervision to ensure that the policy is

implemented as intended.

Monitoring:

Monitoring is a critical stage of policy implementation. It involves tracking

progress, collecting data, and assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the

policy. Monitoring helps identify areas where the policy is working well and

areas that require improvement. It also helps policymakers make adjustments to

the policy as Program circumstances and activities may change during the course

of an evaluation, an appropriate balance must be found between scientific and

pragmatic considerations in the evaluation design, and the wide diversity of

perspectives and approaches in the evaluation field provide little firm guidance

about how best to proceed with an evaluation’ (Rossi et al. 2004).

3. Policy evaluation

a) Define policy evaluation.

impact of a policy. This involves collecting and analysing data on the policy's

implementation and outcomes, comparing these to the policy's intended goals and

objectives, and making recommendations for improvement.

b) Describe and explain the policy evaluation process.

Evaluation may be conducted at various stages of the policy cycle and may

involve both quantitative and qualitative methods. Policy making process once

again, creating an endless policy cycle. This turns policy evaluation into a

powerful tool of the policy making process as it possesses the potential to reframe

an issue once thought to be resolved by policy makers, but as we will see in the

next paragraph, it can also lead to the termination of public policies. In this

respect, policy evaluations can pave the way for policy learning and evidence-

based policy making (Sanderson 2002).

Cost-Benefit Analysis:

This method compares the costs of implementing a policy with the benefits it

generates. It quantifies both the monetary and non-monetary costs and benefits,

allowing decision-makers to assess whether the policy's benefits outweigh its

costs.

Outcome Evaluation:

This approach focuses on assessing the immediate outcomes of a policy. It

examines whether the desired outcomes have been achieved and measures the
extent to which the policy has produced the intended results.

Impact Evaluation:

Impact evaluation goes beyond immediate outcomes and looks at the broader

impacts of a policy. It assesses the long-term effects of the policy on various

stakeholders and the overall community. Impact evaluation often involves

conducting surveys, interviews, or collecting data to measure changes in

behaviour, attitudes, or social indicators.

Process Evaluation:

Process evaluation focuses on the implementation of a policy. It examines how

well the policy has been executed and identifies any challenges or areas for

improvement in the implementation process. Process evaluation helps identify

factors that may have influenced the policy's outcomes.

Qualitative Evaluation:

This type of evaluation involves gathering qualitative data, such as interviews or

focus groups, to understand stakeholders' perspectives and experiences related to

the policy. It provides insights into the policy's effectiveness and helps identify

areas for improvement.

Quantitative Evaluation:
 Quantitative evaluation involves using statistical methods and data analysis to

measure the impact and outcomes of a policy. It often includes collecting

numerical data and analysing trends or patterns to assess the policy's

effectiveness.

References

Anderson, J. E. (2003). Public Policy-Making. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Bräuninger, T. and T. König (1999). ‘The checks and balances of party federalism’.

Sanderson, I. (2002). ‘Evaluation, Policy Learning and Evidence-Based Policy Making’.

Rossi, P.H., M.W. Lipsey and H.E. Freeman (2004). Evaluation: A Systematic Approach. Thousand

Oaks: Sage Publications.