Search

Start Right Exploration lets you identify and confirm the most important dimensions of a policy project at the start, to assist with scoping, focus, direction and project efficiency. It is also known as policy analysis, policy scoping or...

Role play helps you understand and prepare for a situation by acting out a scenario with fictional personas. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances for use Limitations...

Prototyping helps you to build ideas for policy options by testing a model and refining it through active user participation. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances for use...

Experience or empathy interviews are an inexpensive way to learn from people about their experience of a service or system. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances for use...

Myth: Futures thinking tries to predict the future. Fact:  Futures thinking does not attempt to predict the future. There are a range of possible futures and the future can be actively shaped by the decisions we take today. Futures...

A method that identifies and questions the conscious and unconscious assumptions that shape policy analysis. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances for use Limitations...

Structured brainstorming that helps participants visualise how important trends or events might impact on the policy area. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances for use...

A method for testing the robustness of policy options against a set of scenarios to see how well they stand up against a range of external conditions. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal...

Works backwards from a desirable future to identify the actions needed to help shape your desired future/s. On this page: Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances for use Limitations...

Land Information New Zealand case study: Land Information New Zealand has been using the Development Pathways Tool to help its policy teams develop and grow their skills and to enrich development plan discussions. The tool sets out the...

Welcome to the Policy Methods Toolbox 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. This first release of the...

Quality commissioning is the starting point for producing quality policy advice. Many different things can initiate the need to produce policy advice. Ministers regularly ask for it. External events can precipitate the need for it. Our...

Good quality engagement by government can solve complex problems, can lead to better solutions and build enduring relationships with individuals and groups in the community. Good engagement practice and ensuring a focus on engagement...

Behavioural insights involves the study of human behaviour, often drawing on empirical research in fields including economics, psychology and sociology. Email Dr Marcos Pelenur at Marcos.Pelenur@eeca.govt.nz to be included in 'community of practice...

Quality commissioning is the starting point for producing quality policy advice.

Communicating advice effectively to a decision-maker relies on the art of good story telling. External Resources New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's central government masterclasses External Conversation trackers and presentations Nikita...

Good quality engagement by government can solve complex problems, can lead to better solutions and build enduring relationships with individuals and groups in the community. External Engagement Resources Guidelines for engagement with Māori Department...

Design thinking is also known as human-centred design, co-design and participatory decision. External Policy Community Resources Service Design Community of practice - Email Ben Briggs at ben.briggs@acc.co.nz to be included in emails and...

The Policy Project has a number of frameworks, tools and resources to support you or your team in developing their policy skills.

As part of our commitment to accountability and transparency, agencies must include information in the Estimates and Annual Reports on the quality of their policy advice, and the satisfaction of their minister with the policy support provided by the...

Good policy advice is underpinned by good evidence. Good evaluation of policy decisions is important because it helps inform future decision-making – and contributes to continuous improvement. External resources Chief Science Advisor Forum Nesta's...

Free and frank advice underpins our system of government. External resources Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission's guidance on Free and Frank Advice and Policy Stewardship and Frequently Asked Questions External conversations, speeches and...

Futures thinking is also known as foresight, strategic foresight and futures studies. External resources The Futures Toolkit Strategic Foresight External Policy community resources Strategic Futures Group - Email Cathy.Swanson@ird.govt.nz to be...

Public problems are increasingly complex and connected, which requires policy practitioners to tap into creative answers. Additional Overview Resources OECD Declaration on Public Sector Innovation International Resources Observatory of Public Sector...

We’ve brought together examples of how agencies and policy practitioners are using the Policy Project frameworks and tools in their policy practice. We’ll add to these case studies over time. They provide useful insights into how the...

Great policy managers build high performing policy teams that deliver great policy advice. That means ensuring the policy team knows what it’s trying to achieve, has a culture of constructive challenge, innovation and continuous improvement....

The Start Right Green Light records the agreement to formally commence a policy project, the initial policy question and the approach to policy development. It's also known as policy initiation, project mandate, project initiation or policy...

The Start Right question prompts for Commissioning Conversations between senior managers and the manager or policy team can encourage the right behaviours in the early stages of policy development. It's also known as policy initiation,...

The New Zealand public service has a duty of stewardship, to look ahead and provide advice on future challenges and opportunities.   Additional Conversation trackers, presentations and speeches The Challenges for the Public Service: In pursuit of...

Start Right is also known as policy commissioning, policy initiation and project management for policy development. On this page: About Start Right Why you should use it What it involves What you will get out of it Ideal circumstances...

In 2016, the Policy Project co-developed the Policy Skills Framework with policy practitioners. It is one of three policy improvement frameworks designed to improve the quality of policy advice across government. On this page: The Policy Skills...

Improving the quality of policy advice across government requires a policy community that is committed to upping its game and sharing best practice. This includes strong leadership of the policy system. Find out about the various elements of...

“The Long-term Insights Briefings require the public service to look over the horizon, for the common good.” – Brook Barrington, Head of the Policy Profession The New Zealand public service has a duty of stewardship, to look ahead and...

Ministry of Transport case study: The Policy Project has worked with several public sector agencies as part of the ongoing focus to improve policy quality across the public sector. Here is what the Ministry of Transport had to say about...

Inland Revenue case study: Inland Revenue has committed to applying the Policy Capability Framework every 6 months as a health check. This case study outlines Inland Revenue’s policy capability journey and how they have used the Policy...