Policy and Complex Systems - Volume 1 Issue 1 - Spring 2014
Realizing Complex Policy : Using a Systems-of-Systems Approach to Develop and Implement Policy
Dr . David H Dombkins
Contents :
1 . Executive Summary 2 . Introduction 3 . Policy for a Complex World 4 . Systems-of-Systems 5 . Stewardship and Process Governance 6 . Sensemaking and Foresight 7 . Evidentiary Support for Policy Design 8 . The Policy Categorization Tool ( PCAT ) 9 . Integrated Policy Teams 10 . Complex Policy - Rules of the Road 11 . References
1 . Executive Summary
Sustainable Development1 , along with
changes to the global economic model , are examples of Complex Policies that cannot be realized using traditional approaches to policy formulation and implementation .
Rather than focusing on WHAT is to be the final content of policies such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ), this paper provides a robust methodology for HOW governments can design , implement , deliver , and manage policies and action plans to realize complex policies .
While traditional approaches to policy have been effective in the past , there is a growing international recognition that traditional approaches to policy formulation and realization are not suited to the systemic and highly complex issues facing our world and our societies . 2
The paper defines three distinct policy strategies — Bespoke , Evolutionary , and Emergent — and provides a tool for categorization of policies . Each policy strategy has a range of applications dependent upon its complexity and uncertainty ( Refer to Figure 1 ).
The paper ’ s focus is on providing governments with reliable strategies and methodologies to design and realize complex policies such as the SDGs and Sustainable Economic Development .
In implementing complex policy such as the SDGs , governments will have a range of policy strategy , design , and im-
1
Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) should be action oriented , concise , easy to communicate , limited in number , aspirational at the global level , universally applicable taking into account national realities , capacities , and levels of development .
2
J . Chapman , System Failure : Why Governments must Learn to Think Differently . Demos , 2004 .. System Stewardship . The UK Institute of Government , 2011 . E . Lindquist , Grappling with Complex Policy Challenges ( Australian National University , HC Coombs Policy Forum , 2011 ).
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