Bardach's 8-Fold Path (2012)

Source: Bardach's Eight-Fold Path to More Effective Problem Solving

Step 1 – Define the Problem: This first step creates the reason for doing the work as well as a direction for your policy. Think in terms of deficit and excess (e.g. not enough equity or too much resistance).

Step 2 – Assemble Some Evidence: Collect data or information that provides evidence of the existence of the problem in context. In this stage, you want to understand your problem in context and see what the literature may say about it.

Step 3 – Construct the Alternatives: Think about various policy options or courses of actions. Alternatives do not always have to be mutually exclusive from each other. For example, you may consider different models or place alternatives on a sort of a continuum to show trade-offs or varying strength of solution. Remember that the first alternative is always to continue with the status quo.

Step 4 – Select Criteria: how will you evaluate the outcomes of your proposed solution. In this phase, you want to look at items such as efficiency, cost effectiveness, equality, or justice. Also consider WHO decides this criteria (e.g. policy makers, participants, someone else?).

Step 5 – Project the Outcomes: Extend the logic of the problem that you defined in step 1 to see what could happen. Consider the initial conditions as well as the costs of any mistaken assumptions. Additionally, you want to think about both the magnitude and the direction of the effect as well as any unintended consequences. Remember that your first projection should be if nothing changes.

Step 6 – Confront Trade-Offs: At this stage, you want to look at the trade-offs associated with the outcomes. In other words, if you maintain the status quo versus implementing a new idea, what are the trade-offs associated with those outcomes.

Step 7 – Decide: Choose your final direction. However, before you do, ask yourself this question: if your policy recommendation is such a great idea, why hasn't it been done before? Consider whether any previously unidentified barriers may be in your way.

Step 8 – Tell Your Story: In this last phase, you need to sell your idea. Think about your audience and the narrative that will help you explain this new endeavor.