Policy Analysis Report: Understanding, Assessing, and Recommending Policy Solutions

What is a policy analysis report?

A policy analysis sets out to define a specific social problem (in our case one related to a particular field of welfare provision) and to assess the achievability of policy goals. It examines the arguments before analysing the aims for the implementation of the policy. In general, policy recommendations or policy advice feed into policy decisions made by both governments and non-governmental organisations.  It’s important to note that whether the policy recommendation is accepted as feasible or dismissed depends on how well the issue and the arguments justifying the recommended course of action are presented.

In this section you should describe the nature and consequences of the social problem you are setting out to analyse. Here you could also identify a plausible goal[s] for policy-maker intervention. You should focus on why it is important enough to develop a policy to solve, so make sure that you briefly present a range of facts. For example, are people lacking in the fulfilment of basic needs; is there a clear health problem emerging; and so on? Make sure that you define the purpose and scope of both the original report and your analysis. You can also define any key terms. Your introduction should also outline how the report is organised.

You should assess the feasibility of the policy recommendations that your chosen policy document is making or summarising and in turn work towards some of your own to be presented later in the report. Establish the criteria with which you will evaluate the existing policy and policy alternatives. For example, potential costs, levels of efficiency and political acceptability (i.e. ideological framework). Analyse the existing policy according to the evaluative criteria you have established. This analysis should also include the effects the policy has on different groups and any conflicts it creates in terms of social values. Useful approaches to the analysis might be your evaluation of whether the problem can be best addressed through government initiatives or if, alternatively, the private sector is better positioned to meet the policy aims. Here you could, for example, consider the question of market failure or the impact of poverty on the relevant social group[s] the policy is aimed at.

·What are the symptoms of the social problem?

·Who is affected by it?

·What are the immediate and potential long term consequences if the problem is not dealt with?

·What is the policy you are analysing actually saying?

·What are the plausible goals of policy intervention and are those presented in the policy document compatible?

In the previous sections you have identified the social problem, pointed to some policy goals, weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of the policy document being analysed, and suggested alternative pathways to solving the problem. Here as a means of summing up the analysis you should reflect on the possibility of successful implementation of the policy and any alternatives. You can consider the political/ideological interests that might be at work in the political arena, and the capacity of public and/or private sectors to produce effective results.  

This section can focus on:

·What are the interests of the primary backers of the policy and who are the stakeholders most affected?

·What are the potential conflicts or extent of agreement on the goals that are set out?

What are the existing institutional capacities for the implementation of the policy and/or its alternatives?

This should summarise the main points you have highlighted in the report. It should refer back to the purpose of your report, as stated in the introduction. Do not include new information at this stage but you could reflect on potential costs and consequences of the policy.  Do you think it will achieve its goals, and if so at a reasonable social and economic cost.