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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...

Carl Billington from IPANZ takes a closer look at the convention of free and frank advice, why it matters to both ministers and public servants, and what it means for the future.

Click here to view the video where Aaron Maniam talks about: Lessons on the Long View: Singapore’s experiences with Foresight.

In August 2018, a working group of representatives from central and local government was established to co-produce guidance on how central government can engage effectively with local government. The Policy Project within the Department of Prime...

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...

A guide for government agencies and policy advisors on principles and values for good community engagement in policy making.

A guide for government agencies on building capability and readiness for community engagement.

A guide for policy advisors on good community engagement practice, including at each level of the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.

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...

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....

As part of its Open Government Partnership work programme, the Policy Project has produced a report on the impact of engagement on the development and implementation of the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and related initiatives. The report...

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,...

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...

This document outlines how to apply the Start Right approach to initiating a policy project, so it's set up for quality and success. The HTML is provided for accessibility purposes. Please do not print the HTML or use it as the primary source for this...

Using this document This document contains guidance on different types of communication with ministers and Cabinet. Whether you’re writing a Cabinet paper, a policy paper, an aide memoire or an A3, you’ll find high level descriptions of what’s involved...

Open, early Commissioning Conversations are the starting point for quality policy. The questions listed on the next page are a guide for effective Commissioning Conversations. They can help you consider the most important elements that shape a policy...

This document outlines how to apply the Start Right approach to initiating a policy project, so it's set up for quality and success. This resource is available as an HTML and PDF file and covers Policy Commissioning Behaviours and Values and...