Course Description

All recent efforts to streamline public administration have given rise to the need for standard policies and guidelines across public sector organisations. Formulating policies is not the only step that could make a positive difference to public administration. Instead, the processes after policy formulation are of utmost importance to ensure achievement of the objectives for creating the policy.

Policies are those directives of law, regulations and programs developed by public sector organisations to solve specific problems. Shaping public policy involves strategic planning as well as complex negotiations and interactions. Policy analysis is a systematic process for civil servants and other public sector officials to examine and evaluate existing problems, devise solutions, create policies and implement them across the organisation.

The entire creation process includes identifying an issue, defining it, checking for suitable options, assessing the practicality and suitability of the options, selecting the most suitable option, formulating this into a policy, implementing the policy, monitoring and controlling the outcomes of the policy and gathering experience and learning for future policy making, in turn increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Policy implementation is the weakest and most vulnerable link in the entire policy process, and public leadership and governance can significantly influence its success or failure. One of the major mistakes and misconceptions that lead to failure in policy implementation is the belief that one policy could suit different organisations and work settings. In fact, different departments within the same organisation may react differently to a policy and hence policy makers need to formulate a general policy that suits all since the suitability of a policy may differ across organisations depending on culture, mode of governance, institutional landscape, etc. Since policy making and implementation need to be undertaken carefully, understanding the process, the best practices related to successful policy implementation and the possible challenges that one could face during the process becomes important for public sector professionals.

Policy analysis is a process of multidisciplinary inquiry designed to create, critically assess and communicate information that is useful in understanding and improving policies”(Dunn, 2004). The methodology of policy analysis may be seen as a process of inquiry designed to discover solutions to practical problems. This course gives an overview of all essential aspects of business policy and strategic management. The intention is to provide delegates with policy strategy insights; reflect on policy dilemmas; and practice strategy policy tools to enable them to become policy makers and thinkers. The course will cover policy strategy analysis, policy formulation strategies at different levels of the organization, and policy implementation.

Who should attend?

The top management of a public sector organisation – to thoroughly understand best practices of policy making and policy implementation and prepare for possible challenges that one would encounter during the process,

Human resource professionals responsible for creating a professional, policy-driven, disciplined work culture for better results in terms of employee satisfaction and growth of the business.

Compliance experts and professionals responsible for ensuring transparency and integrity of information as well as adherence to standards set within the organisation or internationally.

Policy makers and legal authorities responsible for ensuring adherence to required standards and for creating practical and friendly policies to benefit employees and the organisation and any public servant interested in playing a role in policy making and implementation.

Organisational course benefits

By the end of the course, the public sector professionals attending the course, the organisation will benefit in the following ways:

• Appreciate the introduction of policy rational and the pressures on implementation .
• A better prepared and more experienced workforce to participate in issue identification and appropriate policy formulation and implementation.
• Faster and permanent resolution to issues and problems through standards set within the organisation.
• A more disciplined and friendly work culture because of employee-friendly-yet-effective policies.
• Successful policy implementation resulting in outcomes that are beneficial to the growth and progress of the organisation.
• Increased capability to manage change because of modernisation, thus sustaining a competitive advantage within the market space.
• Lesser risk of failure and wastage of manpower, time and resources resulting from directionless policy creation.
• Understand how policy formulation, lobbying, development and good implementation benefits organisation especially government agencies

Personal Benefits

Through this course, public sector professionals will derive the following benefits:

• In-depth understanding of the policy process, from identification of the issue to measuring outcome and realising the benefits.
• Broader perspective and greater knowledge and experience to participate and successfully undertake responsibilities in the policy creation and implementation process.
• Scope to significantly contribute to organisational success through effective policy implementation.
• Increased skill and capabilities and more preparedness to undertake leadership responsibilities because of the exposure and experience gained.
• Increased ability to conceptualise the various theories of policy making and analysis and choose the one that best suits one’s organisation.
• Greater capability and skill to evaluate the impact of a policy implemented.
• Lesser risk of failure and wastage of manpower, time and resources resulting from directionless policy creation.
• Understand how policy formulation, lobbying, development and good implementation benefits organisation especially government agencies

Training Methodology

A great strength of the Institute of Corporate Directors Research Center training approach lies in the diversity of opportunities it provides for participants to learn. The atmospheres at ICDRC workshops give our valued delegates a feel of comfort with relatively more conventional study methods drawn on the well-organized readings and power point presentations. Those who learn most by doing and sharing can benefit from the innovative range of participatory exercises and case studies. This well organised quality training with great content, combines knowledge with practical experience combined with a blend of international participation and shared experience which enhances team work and promotes good partnership with ICDRC training.

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