Applied Project

The Applied Project is the culmination of the student’s training at the Innovation and Leadership in Government Program (ILG) and thus should draw upon and expand many of the skills learned during the course. In general, the Applied Project should be a 6-10 page strategy memo that identifies a policy problem and recommends a solution.

1. Define the Problem: Define a policy problem facing your agency, community, or business. Use evidence to back up your assertions to prove the problem exists.

2. Define Stakeholders: Discuss the key individuals and institutions relevant to the policy problem. For example, such individuals and institutions could include senior government officials, government agencies, international organizations, the media, corporations, interest groups, etc.

3. Identify and Analyze Policy Alternatives: Describe at least three alternative approaches to solving the policy problem. Describe the criteria that you will use to assess the relative merits and challenges of each alternative approach. Apply your decision criteria to each choice. Include the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative approach, including associated resource constraints.

4. Make a Recommendation: Argue for a preferred approach and provide the rationale for selecting this approach. Be sure to justify your choice with evidence.

5. Describe an implementation strategy and indicators: Describe the necessary processes for adopting the preferred approach. The implementation strategy should take into account any relevant resources and political issues. Describe the indicators you will use to measure your progress and impact.

Topic Selection:

We recommend you select a topic relevant to and that can be applied to your current work. Choose a challenge that you would like to make progress on during the program, and one that you are willing to describe and discuss openly with faculty members and colleagues in the context of the course. Faculty members and fellow participants will receive a copy of your written assignment.

During the program, there will be opportunities in both large and small group settings to receive consultation on your challenge. In some cases, we may focus on a single challenge. In other cases, the faculty members may combine several similar challenges into a scenario for group discussion.

Deadlines:

  1. Define the Problem (1) and Define Stakeholders (2) - November 2
  2. Identify and Analyze Policy Alternatives (3) and Make a Recommendation (4) - November 12
  3. Describe an implementation strategy and indicators (5) - November 26
  4. Presentations - December 7

Submit your work

Assignment 1: Define the Problem (1) and Define Stakeholders (2)

Due November 2

Submit here: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/c5kg4e8b3WX411MRGn002Qwa

Assignment 2: Identify and Analyze Policy Alternatives (3) and Make a Recommendation (4)

Due November 12

Submit here: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/04E2IGJ8Va5ML

Assignment 3: Describe an implementation strategy and indicators

Since this assignment will be longer, you can submit as text in the form, or you can upload a document (Word or PDF format) in the link below.

Due November 26

Submit here: www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/Ul81gQ04bMCwyG1i78eEPY