Student profile
Traditionally policy analysis has been associated with the public sector. However, since the 1980s it has become increasingly clear that non-government and non-profit organizations also need to apply systemic tools to address issues through informed decision making. This course is designed to help the participants learn, develop, and apply the skills necessary for informed decision making in different situations. The course is particularly suited for decision makers in private, public and civil society organizations including corporations, different levels of government, and non-government organizations. The course is also of benefit to students of government and public administration.
The participants will learn how to apply analytical skills to fully grasp the full range of perspectives in a decision situation. Case studies will be used to illustrate how decisions are made in practice and within different organizational settings. The participants will learn about the different pressures, limitations, considerations, and priorities that collectively generate specific decisions.
The participants will be introduced to the main case-based theoretical models for problem definition, design of policy alternatives, and outcome assessment. While participants will become technically equipped, they are also encouraged to develop a sense of humility about the limits of their tools and the inadequacy of alternative models for decision‑making. Most importantly, the participants will learn how to communicate their expertise concisely and convincingly in written and verbal forms.
