Introduction to Policy Analysis and Decision-Making

Every major societal decision, from local urban planning to national healthcare, relies on structured policy analysis to succeed. Understanding how to dissect complex public issues and propose viable, data-backed solutions is an essential skill for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in public service, non-profits, or advocacy. This text-only course guides you from foundational definitions to practical analytical frameworks. You will learn how to define public problems, establish evaluation criteria, assess alternative solutions, and present your findings in a clear, persuasive manner. What you'll learn: Understand the core concepts, terminology, and historical foundations of public policy analysis; Define and structure complex public problems to identify their root causes; Establish robust evaluation criteria to compare different policy options objectively; Apply modern, data-driven and evidence-based methods to assess policy outcomes; Analyze stakeholder interests and map political feasibility for proposed solutions; Draft clear, concise policy briefs and recommendations for decision-makers. Starting with basic definitions, you will progress through the standard stages of the policy cycle, exploring real-world scenarios and modern analytical techniques. Designed specifically for beginners, this course requires no prior background in economics, political science, or statistics. Start reading today to build the foundational skills needed to analyze and shape public policy.