Policy tools and methodologies

Policy support tools and methodologies are approaches and techniques based on science and
other knowledge systems, including Indigenous and local knowledge, that can inform, assist and
enhance relevant decisions, policy-making and implementation at the local, national, regional
and international levels to protect nature, thereby promoting nature’s contributions to people and
a good quality of life.

When developing a typology of policy support tools and methodologies, a number of families of
approaches and techniques need to be acknowledged, each of which addresses different types of
decisions, decision-making institutions or policy-making cultures in the development,
implementation and adaptation of policy, to the benefit of people and nature. Some tools and
methodologies may be part of more than one family.

The following seven families of tools and methodologies, defined in terms of the broad
challenges addressed and with examples of tools and methodologies for each, are used in this
catalogue:

 Family 1. Assembling data and knowledge (including monitoring)

 Family 2. Assessment and evaluation
 Family 3. Public discussion, involvement and participatory process
 Family 4. Selection and design of policy instruments
 Family 5. Implementation, outreach and enforcement
 Family 6. Training and capacity building
 Family 7. Social learning, innovation and adaptive governance

Assembling Data and Knowledge

Assembling data and knowledge (including monitoring) addresses underlying scientific and other
types of knowledge gaps (including Indigenous and local knowledge) by providing the data
necessary to understand the function and dynamics of biodiversity, human wellbeing, nature’s
contributions to people (including ecosystem goods and services), and associated social-
ecological systems. This includes, among others, data collection efforts, databases and
monitoring, indicators, oral history, mapping of ecosystem services. This family is relevant to all
elements of the policy cycle.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment and evaluation addresses existing scientific and other knowledge by synthesizing
and assessing such knowledge types (including Indigenous and local knowledge) relative to the
status, function, determinants/drivers and outlook for specific aspects of nature, nature’s
contributions to people, human well-being, relevant social-ecological systems and outcomes, as
well as the connections between these. These include different types of assessment and
evaluation tools, based on a variety of methods and diverse conceptualizations of values of
nature, nature’s contributions to people, and a good quality of life. This family is relevant to all
elements of the policy cycle.
Public Discussion, Involvement and Participatory Process

Public discussion, involvement and participatory process contribute to identifying problems and
opportunities, setting goals and priorities, meeting agreed principles such as gender and social
equity, establishing the case for policy action and building shared understanding of requirements
and consequences. This is achieved by supporting discussion and deliberation about the
implications of new knowledge and data, emerging risks and opportunities, potential societal
responses, as well as the effectiveness and merits of existing and potential institutions and policy
settings. This family is relevant to all elements of the policy cycle.

Steps:

Selection and Design of Policy Instruments

Selection and design of policy instruments supports the identification, evaluation and choice of
potential policies and institutional settings, including evaluation and comparisons of past
experience or similar experience elsewhere, as well as outcomes under different policies and
circumstances and policy mix analysis. It focuses primarily on the choice and design of new and
existing policies, keeping in mind that policy instruments are distinct from policy support tools
and methodologies. This family is primarily aligned with Policy Design and Decisions, but it
could be relevant to the other two elements of the policy cycle.

Implementation, Outreach and Enforcement

Implementation, outreach and enforcement support practical implementation of policies,

including laws, regulations and quasi-regulations, economic instruments and incentives, as well
as information tools, including through monitoring, providing information to stakeholders and
through supporting enforcement and compliance activities. This family focuses primarily on
supporting the implementation of policies that have already been decided and enacted. It is
primarily aligned with Policy Implementation, but could be relevant to the other two elements of
the policy cycle.

Training and Capacity Building

Training and capacity-building identify and address capacity gaps and shortfalls by enhancing
the skills and capacity of relevant actors and organizations, including Government officials and
agencies, communities and representatives, businesses, non-government organizations, advisors
and support services. This family is cross-cutting to all elements and can be applied within each
element to enhance capacity and improve outcomes.

Social Learning, Innovation and Adaptive Governance

Social learning, innovation and adaptive governance address gaps and disconnects in the policy
process, by identifying opportunities to promote social learning and to strengthen links and
feedback mechanisms across elements and activities, supporting improved responsiveness, risk
management and overall performance of policy process as a whole. This family is cross-cutting
to all elements, but applied to the links and inter-relationships across elements and activities to
influence the dynamics and performance of the policy review, development and implementation
process itself.

In the realm of public policy, implementation tools, taxonomies, and models are essential for
designing, executing, and evaluating policies effectively. Here's how they apply:

Implementation Tools

In public policy, implementation tools are resources and mechanisms used to enact policies,
manage processes, and achieve desired outcomes. Examples include:

Policy Analysis Software: Tools like Policy Models or Policy Compass assist policymakers in
analyzing the potential impacts of policy proposals, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and
simulating different scenarios.

Government Portals and Platforms: Digital platforms such as GovTech, GovEx, and OpenGov
provide governments with tools for data management, citizen engagement, transparency, and
collaboration.

Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Tools: Software solutions like RIA Navigator or RIA
Toolkit help policymakers assess the potential economic, social, and environmental effects of
proposed regulations.

Performance Management Systems: Tools like Balanced Scorecard or Results-Based

Management software aid in monitoring and evaluating the performance of public programs and
services.

Public Engagement Platforms: Social media platforms, online forums, and citizen feedback
tools enable governments to engage with constituents, gather input, and promote transparency in
policymaking.

Taxonomies

Taxonomies in public policy help classify and categorize policy issues, interventions,
stakeholders, and outcomes. They provide a structured framework for understanding and
addressing complex policy challenges. Examples include:

Policy Issue Taxonomies: Classifications like the Policy Agendas Project taxonomy categorize
policy issues based on their salience, scope, and political attention.

Policy Intervention Taxonomies: Frameworks such as the OECD Policy Taxonomy classify
policy interventions according to their objectives, instruments, and targeted sectors.
Stakeholder Taxonomies: Typologies like the Stakeholder Analysis Matrix categorize
stakeholders based on their interests, influence, and level of support or opposition to specific
policies.

Outcome Taxonomies: Schemes like the Logic Model taxonomy categorize policy outcomes
into inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, helping policymakers articulate and measure the
effects of interventions.

Models

Policy models are analytical tools used to simulate, predict, or evaluate the effects of policies
under different scenarios. They help policymakers understand complex systems, forecast
outcomes, and make evidence-based decisions. Examples include:

Economic Policy Models: Models such as Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models or
Input-Output (IO) models simulate the macroeconomic effects of policy changes, such as tax
reforms or trade agreements.

Health Policy Models: Epidemiological models like Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed

SEIR models or cost-effectiveness models assess the impact of public health interventions, such
as vaccination programs or disease control measures.

Environmental Policy Models: Tools like Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) or carbon
pricing models estimate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate policies,
such as emissions reduction targets or carbon pricing mechanisms.

Social Policy Models: Models such as microsimulation models or social network analysis (SNA)
models analyze the distributional effects of social policies, such as welfare reforms or education
programs.

By leveraging these implementation tools, taxonomies, and models, policymakers can design
more informed, targeted, and effective policies to address pressing societal challenges and
improve public welfare.