Program implementation and evaluation is not a discrete process, rather it forms part of a wider ongoing policy cycle whereby each of the 8 different stages interact with one another. At no time is one stage in complete vacuum from the rest.
The 8 stages of implementation.
Stage 1 - Problem Initiation. Grouped individuals with common concerns usually bring issues to light. Because of this mass concern, governments and decision making bodies are obliged make note and become involved.
Stage 2 - Information Collection. The collection of information is essentially designed to provide decision-makers with enough information to make educated judgements on current effects of each situation, and then formulate responses with reasons for their conclusions. It should be noted that some bodies (particularly political parties near election times) chose to tackle individual aspects of each issue which they can cover up or modify quiet easily, in order to seem as though they are effect authoritarian bodies. In such instances, the underlying problems continue to exist, but are displaced.
Stage 3 - Consideration. This stage evolves around the clarification of how and why a problem has arisen. This can prove to be a particularly difficult task, especially when issues are caused by not one, but a number of evolving factors. Consider the cause of trouble children – is it caused by low-income family structures, or the hardship brought on by limited resources that creates domestic disputes? Is it possibly a psychological mal adaptive behavioural pattern, or is it simply a learnt behaviour? Maybe it is none of these? Thus the difficulty and uncertainty in developing programs.
Stage 4 - Option Analysis. When different proposals emerge in response to dealing with issue settlement, a choice must be made on which to use depending on factors such as available resources and practicality.
Stage 5 - Decision. This stage, once again, looks at the major issues and information gathered in previous stages, then decides on the one best way to confront the problem. Unfortunately, as with stage two, issues are not always adequately addressed – candy coating is a common choice in order to promote an institutions capacity in dealing with issues of concern.
Stage 6 - Implementation. An extremely important stage in any problem resolution (if not the most important). Without excellent implementation, even the best policies are doomed to fail. Implementation as such, is the expression of the decision stage, through such methods as policies, mechanisms and legislation. It is here that the decisions made by appropriate bodies come to life. Unfortunately, implementation is a difficult task when having to deal with existing subcultures. In past, one of the most difficult subcultures to infiltrate or change has been that of police departments (For more information, refer to structural changes within the Australian Federal Police).
Stage 7 - Evaluation. Once a program is put in place, it is important to review its results in order to analysis it’s effectiveness. It is possible (not to mention common practice) for bodies responsible for the initial implementation, to either turn a blind eye or only notice outcomes that are favourable to their cause in order to avoid embarrassment caused by ineffectiveness.
Stage 8 - Maintenance, Succession, and Termination. After reviewing the effectiveness of implemented policies, it is necessary to decide on what changes need to take place in order to make policies more effective. In some cases change may not be needed (Succession), in others, minor changes may be prudent (Maintenance). In the worst case scenario (i.e. complete failure, or loss of funds) entire implementations may need removal or replacement (Termination). At times, programs that are without a doubt failing (such as the prison system) are continued merely because no other viable alternatives exist.
Conclusion.
Written By Evan Sycamnias - 22-7-99
