Elements and Performance Criteria
- Anticipate and confirm the need for public policy development or review
- Events, issues or government policies likely to cause changes to public policy are identified.
- The likely implications and impact of these factors that might require public policy development are identified and prioritised in consultation with stakeholders.
- A critical analysis of the need for new or revised public policy is conducted that includes a scan of both internal and external environments, that checks related policies for context and identifies other public policy likely to be impacted.
- Priority areas for public policy development/review are recommended in accordance with government directions.
- Confirmation of the need for public policy development/review and supporting evidence is detailed in accordance with policy and procedures.
- Plan public policy development process
- The approving authority is confirmed and procedures and protocols for public policy development are confirmed and applied.
- Issues likely to impact on the policy development process are identified, analysed (in terms of risk) and addressed in policy development planning.
- Public policy requirements are outlined in a policy development plan in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Gather and analyse information for public policy development
- Determine public policy direction
- Strategic input is obtained from high-level staff in accordance with organisational/public sector protocols.
- A range of policy options and criteria for choice are developed and communicated in a timely and understandable way to those responsible for selecting the policy direction.
- Where appropriate, specific policy options are promoted to key individuals, organisations and groups.
- A preferred public policy option is identified and risk treatments are determined in accordance with the policy development plan.
- Approvals/endorsements are obtained in accordance with the policy development plan and public sector procedures and protocols.
- Draft public policy
- Public policy is drafted using a cyclical process of consultation, feedback, identification of changes and re-drafting implemented in accordance with the policy development plan.
- Risk management processes are implemented in accordance with the policy development plan to ensure progress of the process against the timeframe and milestones.
- An implementation plan that details responsibilities for implementation and strategies for transition, change management, and initial and ongoing training and maintenance of the policy, is included within the policy.
- Mechanisms for monitoring compliance with the policy, quality assurance of the policy, and for evaluation of the policy are included within the policy.
- The policy is developed in accordance with organisational requirements for style, format and contents.
- Release and promote public policy
- Public policy is cleared through required channels, and agreement of critical stakeholders is gained in accordance with the policy development plan.
- All stakeholders, particularly those who will be responsible for implementing the new or revised policy, are fully informed of the outcomes, and fallout from dissenting stakeholders is managed in accordance with the policy development plan.
- The policy is released and promoted in accordance with government requirements.
- Advice is provided to those affected by policy changes in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.