Realizing Complex Policy
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Agreeing to shared values — the parties agree and document the values that they will collaboratively work with . The values and agreed shared goals are documented in a charter against which cooperation is measured . A problem-solving orientation — a formal process to identify and prioritize both problems and opportunities , and to develop tangible action plans . The problem solving process is repeated periodically . Participation by interested and affected parties in all stages of the decision-making processes — partnering and the use of integrated policy teams establish democratic processes that facilitate effective problem solving and buy-in . Provisional solutions — complex policies are recognized as being subject to ongoing revision , which requires willingness to move forward under conditions of uncertainty and to reconsider goals and solutions : �� Evolution of the component policies : a fundamental characteristic of a systems-of-systems is that its component systems will change at different rates and in an uncoordinatedmanner . At a minimum , governance for evolution should include rules and guidelines for : ��
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�� informing other component policyowners and agents of the changes ; coordinating schedules with component policyowners so that those that have to change can do so together ( when backward compatibility of interfaces cannot be maintained ); developing each policy to insulate it from changes in other component policies ; and
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�� minimizing the impact to interfaces when changing a component policy .
�� Evolution of the systems-of-systems itself : while evolution of the systems-of-systems may be directed , it will also occur , by default , when new component policies are added . If policies are simply added to the systems-of-systems without forethought , the unanticipated interactions between the various policies will create behaviors that are unanticipated and undesirable . Test and Evaluation methodologies are needed to evaluate systems-of-systems establishment and evolution .
�� WAVE Planning provides a methodology to manage complex policy realization . Back to zero — policies are based upon assumptions and driven by views ( subject to bounded rationality ). The WAVE Planning methodology uses double loop learning to periodically reassess the policy against changed assumptions and views . Accountability — traditional top-down oversight may be supplemented or replaced by self-disclosure and shared monitoring .
�� Avoiding problems — coordination problems can occur at multiple levels within the parties . An escalation ladder is established to expediently resolve issues at the lowest level , and to rapidly escalate problems if they cannot be solved at lower levels .
6 . Sensemaking and Foresight
Policies are driven by philosophy , visions , and / or a desire for change . Thus , policies have an intent , one that is shared to different degrees by those
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