A Practical Guide For Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path To More Effective Problem Solving

What do the Twenty-Dollar Bill Test and the Grandma Bessie Test have in common? Both are excellent, easily implemented strategies for producing high quality policy analysis. In his gem of a reference book, Eugene Bardach presents dozens of concrete tips, interesting case studies, and step-by-step strategies for the budding analyst as well as the seasoned professional. Readers learn how to:

• Define policy problems with clarity and accuracy.


• Economize on data collection.


• Gain access to and credibility in the field.


• Think creatively about policy alternatives.


• Apply and weigh evaluative criteria.


• Realistically estimate outcomes.


• Make cogent and persuasive recommendations to clients.

This edition s appendices include a sample document of real world policy analysis, a primer in how to talk the talk of policy analysis, and a cheat sheet of strategies for solving a host of policy problems. Used in the Berkeley policy program for more than twenty years, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis has also become part of many a practitioner s permanent library.

Professor Eugene Bardach has been teaching graduate-level policy analysis workshop classes since 1973 at the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, in which time he has coached some 400 projects. This book is based on his experience teaching students the principles of policy analysis and then helping them to execute their project work. He is the recipient of the 1998 Donald T. Campbell award of the Policy Studies Organization for creative contribution to the methodology of policy analysis.