Strategy, Policy & Evaluation

Planning and analysing situations and challenges, to develop and deliver excellent advice to government is at the heart of what we do as a public service.

Contents

The public service will always have an important role in providing high quality policy advice to successive governments. Proficiency in strategy, policy and evaluation is key to the capability and professionalism of the public service.

Strategy:

Understanding the strategic objectives, purpose and desired outcome is critical to effective policy development.

APS Craft: Strategy, Policy and Evaluation - Stephanie Foster

It takes a set of qualities and practises to be able to develop and deliver and implement great policy in an environment that where there are no silver bullets.

Why is strategy, policy and evaluation important to the work we do at the APS?

The process of articulating a strategy and then developing the supporting policies to deliver on that gives us the best possible chance of doing what we're all here to do. And we're all here because we want to make a difference to the lives of Australians. And we want to make a positive difference and in the shortest possible time and with the least possible pain and expense.

How can strategy help our work at the APS?       

If we have a clear idea of what we need to achieve, what objectives we're trying to deliver, then the pathway we take will be much clearer to get there. And it means that we'll be directing our efforts and our resources and our people to absolute maximum effect.

Why is policy important?

Strategy is critical in terms of looking at the whole game and knowing where you want to go, but without the underpinning policies that are anchored in today's world and today's problems and delivering now, it's half a pie.

Why is evaluation important?

   I think we need to fundamentally change the way we think about evaluation. Unless we actually start our thinking about our policy with its eventual evaluation in mind, and with its ongoing evaluation in mind, then the risk is that we never get there because priorities change, the program changes. The evaluation strategy that we designed when the program looked like that is no longer appropriate when it looks like this. It also means that we're not setting ourselves up to respond adaptively.

What’s your best advice for delivering sound Strategy, Policy and Evaluation?

   Having a set of four principles and a checklist of 10 things you should do in front of you when the world is going mad around you can be the difference between delivering something excellent and having a disaster.

What’s the most important thing to remember when developing Policy?

Extraordinarily important in that policy process to be walking in the shoes of the people whom we're trying to support or deliver services for, or deliver better outcomes for, and genuinely understand what the world looks like from their perspective and what will make the most difference to them.

Policy:

Delivering great policy advice to government is at the heart of what we do as a public service. It’s the best advice that we can provide to decision makers to enable them to deliver better outcomes for all Australians. Great policy advice is achieved when it is:

  • clear on intent;
  • well informed;
  • practical to implement; and
  • influential.

Whether there is a need for immediate advice, or for long term policy development, your policy capability must evolve and adapt to broader changes in the policy environment. Great policy also requires whole of government coordination and genuine engagement with stakeholders within, and outside, government.

In addition, conducting high quality analysis into the impacts of new policy ideas ensures the analysis we provide is informed by evidence and consultation. The Regulatory Impact Analysis framework, administered by the Office of Best Practice Regulation, provides the foundation for building a strong evidence base to support decision makers.

Evaluation:

Robust evaluation is critical at all stages of policy development to achieve desired strategic outcomes. Outcomes must be reviewed and tested regularly to ensure they are on track to being achieved. The public service must also learn from previous evaluation findings, and make adjustments to improve and stop activities that are not leading to desired outcomes.

Resources

A model for great policy advice
The model for great policy advice comprises of four key elements: Clear on intent; well informed; Practical to implement and Influential.
APS Framework for Engagement and Participation
This decision tool helps public servants pick the right engagement technique for the problem at hand and includes a catalogue of such techniques to apply.
Behavioural Insights (NZ)
Behavioural insights tools assist understanding human behaviour, which can inform policy design.
Policy Impact Analysis
The framework is made up of seven key questions, your answers to which will provide decision makers with a strong evidence base to support informed policy decisions.
Taskforce Toolkit
A practical guide to help APS taskforces through every stage of the taskforce lifecycle.
Treasury's Wellbeing Framework
A conceptual framework for incorporating consideration of wellbeing in policy advice.
​Policy Fit for the Future: The Australian Government Futures Primer
Building APS capability to use futures techniques in policymaking through horizon scanning, visioning and scenario planning.

Helping the Australian Public Service future-proof policy development and integrate futures methodologies into its work. 

​​Including Gender: a Guide to Gender Analysis and Impact Assessment​
This guide assists policy makers to undertake gender analysis and Gender Impact Assessment in line with gender responsive budgeting requirements.
Agile Policy Playbook
The Agile Policy Playbook provides tips and templates to help teams deploy Agile practices and tools to enhance their effectiveness.
ANZSOG Resource Library
A great resource for existing research to inform your policy advice. ANZSOG (the Australia and New Zealand School of Government) has a specific focus on government-focused research relevant to the public sector.
APO - Analysis and Policy Observatory
APO is an open access evidence platform – making public policy research and resources accessible and useable.
Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis
The Guide to Policy Impact Analysis is intended to inform Australian Public Service policy making — ensuring that advice to government is accompanied by robust analysis, data and an accurate overview of the effects of proposed policies on our community.
BETA - Academic Directory
The Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA)’s Academic Directory is a directory of Australian behavioural economics and behavioural science academics, including their contact details and research interests.

BETA - The Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government

BETA - Behavioural Economics
The Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA), is the Australian Government's central unit for applying behavioural insights (BI) to public policy.
BETA - Behavioural Insights eLearning Hub
The Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA)’s eLearning Hub is an online learning resource for behavioural insights.
Better Evaluation
This resource guides users through methods to answer their evaluation questions and provides tools to plan and implement an evaluation.
Commonwealth Evaluation Policy and Toolkit
This Australian Government resource is designed to build evaluation into everyday practice across the APS.
Cost Benefit Analysis
Guidance on undertaking cost-benefit and risk analysis of regulatory proposals to be incorporated into Regulation Impact Statements (RIS).
Craft Conversations - Strategy, Policy and Evaluation
This video was recorded in April 2022 at the APS Academy’s Craft Conversations event for the craft of Strategy, Policy and Evaluation.
Delivering Great Policy Starter Kit
Questions to test if your advice is clear on intent, well informed, practical to implement and influential.
Evaluation Data Matrix Template
A template to plan out your evaluation, including the questions you’ll ask and what data you’ll collect.
Evaluation Program Logic Example
A one page template to plot out how your policy is intended to work. It will help you understand the relationships between resources, activities and outcomes of the policy, which is critical to a successful evaluation.
Evaluation Question Bank
A menu of questions to inform your evaluation strategy.
Evaluation Strategy Template
A twelve page template to document your evaluation strategy.
First Nations Impacts Framework resources
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) share key First Nations Impacts Framework resources to assist with the development of any new policies.
Idea on a Page
Templates to help articulate your policy proposal and policy idea.
Impact Analysis 101
A series of videos that answer common questions on having a solid evidence base for best practice policy making, which is also a Government requirement.
Innovation Toolkit
Nesta's online toolkit provides tools and resources to encourage innovative policy development.
Issues tree guide
An issues tree is a structured way to break problems down and plan what needs to be considered in relation to the issue.
Legislation Handbook
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a description of the procedures involved in making Commonwealth Acts.
Open Policy Making Toolkit (UK)
The Open Policy Making Toolkit is a product of the UK Government's Open Policy Lab. Access a range of tools and techniques to assist the policy development process.
Policy Assurance Checklist
The '5 Minute Policy Checklist' is to help staff in undertaking a quick 'reality check' on policy advice being prepared or considered.
Policy Impact Analysis resources to support new policy development
Multiple different Impact Analysis processes are now required during new policy development. Five key Agencies have combined to share key resources you need to know when developing any new policy
Policy Methods Toolbox (NZ)
The Policy Methods Toolbox is a repository of policy development methods that helps policy practitioners identify and select the right approach for their policy initiative.
Policy Theory Bites
A series of bite-sized policy theory brought to you by the Australian National University (ANU) and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
Program performance and evaluation
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention from the United States Government offers useful resources and insights into the discipline of evaluation.
Public Sector Innovation Units in Australia and New Zealand
Learn about and connect with public sector innovation units to support your policy innovation efforts.
Stress-test Your Solution
A list of questions to give you a quick 'reality check' on your policy advice.
The Australian Policy Cycle
The Australian Policy Cycle designed by James Gulliver Hancock provides an easy to follow visual of the key milestones required for best practice government decision making.
The Policy Project (NZ)
The Policy Project is an initiative of the New Zealand Government to support individual who provide advice to decision makers, access relevant tools, advice and information.
What is Policy?
This resource from the NSW Government offers a model and tool that assists in deconstructing and defining public policy.
Academic Collaboration Opportunities
The APS Academy has through Cathy Fussell created a series of, ‘How to…’ articles to provide guidance on what information and avenues are available.
BETA – Behavioural Insights Practitioners’ Network
Provides a forum for existing behavioural insights practitioners across the APS to meet and hear from colleagues in other agencies, share their experiences, and develop their understanding of emerging trends in behavioural economics.
BetterEvaluation international collaboration
BetterEvaluation is a site fostering international collaboration which supports the improvement, practice and theory of evaluation.
Commonwealth Evaluation Community of Practice
This network is for Commonwealth officials with a role or interest in evaluation to work collaboratively, learn, share and build evaluation capability.
​​APS Gender Analysis Community of Practice​
The Office for Women supports the government’s gender equality priorities and steward gender responsive budgeting by supporting the APS to build gender analysis capability.
Analysis and Policy Observatory
This course provides a platform for users to access public policy research as well as provide information on upcoming learning, events and networking opportunities.
Behavioural Economics and Behavioural Science - Academic Directory
A directory of behavioural economics and behavioural science academics.
Behavioural Insights
Behavioural insights tools assist understanding human behaviour, which can inform policy design.
Improving Governance with Policy Evaluation
This OECD publication discusses how evaluation can help governments improve the design and implementation of public policies for better outcomes.

Courses

APS Indo-Pacific Executive Development Program
The APS Indo-Pacific Executive Development Program is focused on a global, cross-cutting Government priority: climate and energy transition, and its implication for Australia and the region.
Benefits realisation management
This course introduces APS staff to benefits realisation management and provides practical examples of its application.
Beyond the Horizon: Strategic Foresight Tools
This post-graduate microcredential is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to engage in forecasting, better understand complex systems and build scenarios as key approaches in the broader field of foresight.
Crafting Quality New Policy Proposals
This course is aimed at employees seeking to understand the key processes and considerations for preparing a New Policy Proposal.
CROMP Module 1: Introduction to Climate Change
This course should ignite your awareness about how our work and actions contribute to climate change and what it means for you and how it affects your work.
CROMP Module 2: Climate Risk and Opportunity Principles
Climate risk and opportunity principles will build user understanding of the types of climate risks and opportunities that might be encountered through their work. Learners will be challenged to consider how their programs, projects, and policies interact with climate risk and possible opportunities relating to their work.
CROMP Module 3: Applying the Climate Risk Management Guide
Applying the climate risk management guide, is designed to step users through the the process of assessing and managing climate risks and opportunities in the Australian Public Service.
Data Literacy - Module 1: Using data in the APS
This module provides definitions and explanations of key data terms and concepts. It also explores how the APS uses data and why data skills are so important.
Delivering Great Policy - Foundations
This package defines the four core elements required for delivering great policy advice: being clear on intent; being well informed; solutions are practical to implement; and advice is influential.
Delivering Great Policy Advice
This eLearning is an introduction to the model for Great Policy Advice. It defines the four pillars of delivering great policy advice and includes video real-world examples.
Foundations of Net Zero in Government Operations
​This course covers a foundational understanding of climate science topics, detailing the mechanisms and consequences of climate change, and the significance of Global Warming Potential and Carbon Dioxide Equivalent values.
Gender Awareness Foundations
This foundational eLearning course was developed to increase gender awareness capability across the Australian Public Service (APS).
Introduction to Evaluation in the Commonwealth Government
This course introduces APS staff to evaluation in the Australian Government context. Concepts are covered with Commonwealth Evaluation Policy principles and practical examples.
Producing a Quality Cabinet Submission
Gain practical and usable knowledge on cabinet submissions and the Cabinet process, leveraging the knowledge of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Cabinet Division.
Program Logic
​This course introduces public servants to program logic models for policy, project and program development, implementation and evaluation. Program logic models are visual tools for thinking about the way an intervention is intended to create a desired change.
Program: APS Workforce Planning Boost Program
The Workforce Planning Boost Program is a collection of modules that target the development of technical workforce planning skills.
Program: CROMP - Climate Risk and Opportunity Management Program
Australia is experiencing the impacts of our changing climate in all aspects of our economy, environment, and society. This program is designed to build climate risk knowledge across the Australian Government.
Program: Data Literacy
The Data Literacy program is designed to build the knowledge how to use data in the APS, undertake research, how to use statistics, visualise information and how to use data to provide evidence to decision makers.
Program: Evaluation skills for Australian Public Servants
This program will assist APS policy, program and project staff to understand key evaluation concepts and apply them in their own work.
Randomisation
This course will assist APS policy, program and project staff to understand what randomisation is and how to apply it in their own work.
Strategic Thinking
Understand strategy processes and language. Learn methods and models while discussing and sharing professional experiences, thought practices and operating strategically in the APS.
Turning Data into Information
The Turning Data Into Information course is designed to build your analytical skills and equip you with a range of statistical tools and techniques that will help you both understand and analyse data in the context of a research question or issue
WFP Boost – Demand and Supply Forecasting
This module teaches the capability to forecast workforce demand and supply. Forecasting is used in all types of workforce planning to inform decisions about the future.
WFP Boost – Futuring and Scenario Planning
The Workforce Planning Boost Program is a collection of modules that target the development of technical workforce planning skills. These units have been co-designed by the APS Centre of Excellence for Workforce Planning, with workforce planning experts and academics from across Australia.
WFP Boost – Identifying Critical Job Roles
This module is about identifying job roles that are crucial to achieving organisational outcomes and become a priority for workforce planning efforts. It’s a foundational concept for workforce planning.
WFP Boost – Organisational Culture and Determining Crucial Capabilities
In this module, participants will apply workforce planning to determine crucial capabilities and understand the organisational culture required to meet future business needs.
WFP Boost – Organisational Design and Job Design
This module explores organisational design and job design in the context of workforce planning. Participants will also explore smarter and different ways of working due to external change and disruption.
WFP Boost – Workforce Planning Implementation
This module explores practical tools and techniques to undertake program management, to effectively support workforce planning implementation including governance, monitoring evaluation and iteration.
Workforce Planning Start Up Program
The program, delivered across four modules, focuses on four key topics to build foundational strategic workforce planning capability across the APS.

Do you know of other APS resources which could be shared through toolkits to help build APS Craft awareness and capability?

Please contact the APS Academy via the Contact Us webform.

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