Table 1. Helpful Questions To Ask When Assessing and Selecting Policy Options
Criteria Governing Choice
What values are at issue? |
Options Identification and Assessment
What might be done? What are the anticipated outcomes of possible actions? |
Option(s) Selected
What is the preferred option/mix of options? |
- Which criteria should govern the decision?
- Which broad approach or strategy is consistent with the key values?
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- Identify the full range of options.
- What have others tried?
- How do options compare?
- Costs and benefits?
- Winners and losers?
- How do they meet the criteria?
- Conduct tests of plausibility and feasibility on the key options.
- Determine what resources would be required:
- New budget dollars.
- Political leadership.
- Staff expertise.
- Assess interrelationships and conflicts in mix of options.
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- Make an intuitive first cut on option or mix of options to be recommended.
- Identify available resources.
- Refine by considering:
- Ranking costs and benefits of options.
- Obstacles and constraints to be overcome in implementation.
- Compatibility of mix of options.
- Develop fall-back position if fewer resources are available.
- Apply test of plausibility to mix of options.
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Source: Helms WD. Policy Analysis Framework. Presented at: AHRQ Workshop, Using Policy Analysis and Research More Effectively in Decisionmaking; July 29, 2002; Rensselaerville, NY.
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