Effective Implementation In Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Management

by Jodi Sandfort, Stephanie Moulton

A unique approach to policy implementation with essential guidance and useful tools Effective Implementation in Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Managemen t presents an instrumental approach to implementation analysis. By spanningpolicy fields, organizations, and frontline conditions in implementation systems, this book provides a robust foundation for policy makers, public and nonprofit managers and leaders. Detailed case studies enable readers to identify key intervention points, become more strategic, and improve outcomes. The engaging style and specific examples provide a bridge to practice, while diagrams, worksheets, and other tools included in the appendix help managers apply these ideas to team meetings, operational planning, and program assessment and refinement. Policy and program implementation is fraught with challenges as public and nonprofit leaders juggle organizational missions and stakeholder expectations while managing policy and program impact and effectiveness. Using their own experience in practice, teaching, and research, the authors empower policy and program implementers to recognize their essential roles within the workplace and help them cultivate the analytical and social skills necessary to change. The integration of policy and management mindsets gives readers an insightful yet accessible understanding of implementation, allowing them to achieve the potent results desired by the public. For those in senior positions at federal agencies to local staff at nonprofit organizations,  Effective Implementation in Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Management provides an invaluable one-stop resource.

416 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2014

Reviews

[Nick Stumo-Langer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my graduate course taught by author Jodi Sandfort, in Public Policy Implementation we learned the theoretical basis she weaves through this book and executed it through the tools that she and co-author Stephanie Moulton include in the text. It was very helpful throughout this semester.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the strategic action field as explained by Sandfort and Moulton. They provide a detailed explanation on how to analyze policies and programs within the context of policy fields, strategic action fields, and front-line workers. I was able to utilize this framework for a policy analysis on the expanded CTC and it worked great in explicating the diverse SAFs and the distribution of authority, strategic interest of actors, and overall program efficacy during the implementation phase highlighting barriers to efficient policy implementation that illuminated possible paths toward solutions within the broader policy-field framework.