QUITE OFTEN, callers on radio talk shows are heard correctly or incorrectly defending ministers of Government when things go wrong – be it a problem with garbage, water, transportation, health or education.
From time to time, callers are heard saying that ministers do not collect garbage, cannot cause the rain to fall, do not drive omnibuses and so on, but only set policy.
Put simply, a policy is a plan of action and it must be clearly understood that contemporary policy implementation contains critical components for achieving success.
However, there are a number of misunderstandings as well as myths about “policy implementation”.
Joint writers on the subject said that on the one hand, these myths or stories can provide creative inspiration for policies as well as a powerful means to communicate to a broad public and rally support.
On the other hand, the myths can conceal crucial contradictions and realities, legitimise policies that benefit the powerful and support anachronistic perceptions of policy problems. (Judith I. De Neufville and Stephen E. Barton – Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.)
The writers went on to say that myths are an inevitable part of policymaking and planning processes, and planning professionals must openly confront myths and make creative responsible use of them rather than allow policies and plans to be subject to their unexamined influence.
It is also important to note the five foundations on which successful policy implementations are built.
A report from the Economist Intelligence Unit sponsored by Oracle listed these as: 1) Resources, 2) Planning and processes, 3) Leadership, 4) Fostering a culture of commitment and 5) Technology.
For readers who are not sure whether ministers are right or wrong, the report had this to say on leadership: “Those people at the top of the hierarchy are in the best position to provide the clarity and direction that is vital to success.”
– MICHAEL RAY
