The Art and Craft of Policy Advising: A Practical Guide

This book provides a practical guide for policy advisors and their managers, grounded in the author's extensive experience as a senior policy practitioner in New Zealand's Westminster-style system of government. It emphasizes the importance of relationships, integrity, and communication in policy advising, and introduces a public value approach that uses collective thinking, evidence-informed policy analysis, and "gifting and gaining" in the long-term public interest. The second edition has been revised and updated to include an expanded approach to stakeholder analysis and prioritization, align and integrate theory about the public interest, public value, and anticipatory governance, and update a "fair go" multi-criteria decision analysis matrix with the latest iteration of the N.Z. Treasury's Living Standards Framework.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book provides invaluable guidance for policy advisors and their managers, drawing upon the author's extensive experience as a senior policy practitioner in New Zealand's Westminster-style government system. A central theme emerges: effective policy advising revolves around building strong relationships, maintaining integrity, and effective communication. Rather than following rigid cycles, stages, and steps, the focus shifts towards understanding the nuances of policymaking, which is an incremental process of solving social problems.

Learning policy advising is akin to an apprenticeship, where it begins with attentive listening, a deep understanding of one's role within the constitutional framework, earning the trust of decision-makers, skillfully conveying the necessary information while avoiding biases, and gradually emerging as a leader from behind, promoting virtuous schemes and fostering harmonious collaboration.

The author introduces a public value approach to policy advising, which harnesses collective thinking to address complex policy challenges. This approach incorporates evidence-informed policy analysis that considers both emotions and values, ultimately serving the long-term public interest. Personal anecdotes are used to illustrate theoretical concepts, and each chapter offers practical processes, tools, techniques, and reflection questions to assist readers in mastering the art and craft of policy advising.

In this second edition, the book has undergone substantial revisions and updates. It offers an expanded and detailed approach to stakeholder analysis and prioritization, aligning with an agency's strategic framework. It integrates theory about the public interest, public value, and anticipatory governance, providing a comprehensive framework for policy advisors. Additionally, the "fair go" multi-criteria decision analysis matrix has been updated to reflect the latest iteration of the New Zealand Treasury's Living Standards Framework.

By embracing the principles outlined in this book, policy advisors and their managers can enhance their effectiveness, contribute to positive social change, and make a meaningful impact on the governance of their respective organizations.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030995645
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2022