Eightfold Path (policy analysis)

The Eightfold Path is a method of policy analysis assembled by Eugene Bardach, a professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.[1] It is outlined in his book A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving, which is now in its fourth edition.[2] The book is commonly referenced in public policy and public administration scholarship.[3]

Bardach's procedure is as follows:

  1. Define the Problem
  2. Assemble Some Evidence
  3. Construct the Alternatives
  4. Select the Criteria
  5. Project the Outcomes
  6. Confront the Trade-offs
  7. Decide
  8. Tell Your Story

A possible ninth-step, based on Bardach's own writing, might be "Repeat Steps 1 - 8 as Necessary."

See also

References

  1. ^ "Eugene Bardach's Faculty Homepage (Berkeley)". University of California at Berkeley. http://gsppi.berkeley.edu/faculty/ebardach/. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
  2. ^ Eugene Bardach. "A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis". Book. CQ Press. http://www.cqpress.com/product/Bardach4e.html. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  3. ^ "List of scholarly works referencing A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis". Google Scholar. http://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=4884126323094470718&as_sdt=20005&sciodt=0,9&hl=en. Retrieved 6 August 2011.