Effective Implementation In Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Management

Praise for EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION inPRACTICE

"Quite simply, this is the best book anyone has yet produced onpolicy implementation. By giving us a theoretically informed,practice–grounded, well–written and accessible book, the authorshave managed the nearly impossible: producing a book extremelyuseful for the diverse needs of practicing public servants,students, and researchers. The book is a singular achievement thatgreatly advances our understanding of implementation."
Barry Bozeman, Professor, Director of UndergraduateStudies School of Public Affairs, Director of the Center forOrganization Research and Design, Arizona State University

"Effective Implementation in Practice combines a smart,accessible review and synthesis of diverse literatures bearing onimplementation studies with practical ways to engage students andpractitioners in thinking constructively about making lastingorganizational and policy changes. The literature review alone is adistinctive contribution to the field."
Michael Lipsky, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Demos

"Effective Implementation in Practice brings anavant–garde approach to the study of policy and programimplementation, offering an essential and accessible theoreticalframing of critical implementation issues, along with exceptionallyrich insights in practice examples. For anyone studying, teaching,or engaged in policy and program implementation, this landmark workis a ′must–read.′"
Carolyn J. Heinrich, Sid Richardson Professor ofPublic Affairs and Director of the Center for Health and SocialPolicy, University of Texas at Austin

"Sandfort and Moulton remind us of the linkage betweenimplementation studies and public management and policy research.This book will be useful to both practitioners and academics whoappreciate the art of implementation."
Beryl A. Radin, McCourt School of Public Policy,Georgetown University

"This book is very accessible and yet very well grounded in bothclassic and contemporary theory and research in both the socialsciences and public administration. It provides a master class inhow to integrate public policy and management in a way that isuseful to students, practitioners, and scholars."
H. Brinton Milward, Providence Service CorporationChair, University of Arizona

"Policy implementation is a complex process, yet this verytimely and incisive book offers excellent guidance forpolicymakers, practitioners, and scholars interested in solvingpublic problems and designing effective, responsive policies. Thisbook is especially welcome given the broad interest inaccountability and performance management in the public andnonprofit sectors."
Steven Rathgeb Smith, Executive Director, AmericanPolitical Science Association

"This book is a must–read for all of us seeking to impactlarge–scale social change through the effective implementation ofpolicies and programs."
Allison Metz, Co–Director, National ImplementationResearch Network, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

Tables, Figures, and Boxes ix

The Authors xi

Preface xiii

PART ONE The Implementation Landscape 1

ONE Framing Implementation 5

Exploring Policy and Program Implementation 9

Defining Implementation Effectiveness 12

Unpacking Implementation Systems 16

Bringing the Analysis to Life 28

TWO Conventional Perspectives on Policy and Program Implementation 35

Political Processes and Authority 37

Governance and Management 43

Policy and Program Evaluation 52

Conclusion 64

THREE A New Perspective for Implementation: Strategic Action Fields 67

Introducing Strategic Action Fields 69

Core Programs 74

Unpacking Social Structures and Dynamics 82

Conclusion 96

PART TWO The Implementation System at Multiple Levels 99

FOUR Policy Fields 103

Policy Fields in Focus 107

Analyzing the Development of the Core Program 120

Applying Policy Field Analysis 131

Conclusion 136

FIVE Organizations 139

Organizations in Focus 141

Analyzing the Integration of the Core Program 148

Applying Organizational Analysis 155

Conclusion 162

SIX Front Lines 163

Front Lines in Focus 166

Analyzing the Application of the Core Program 174

Applying Frontline Analysis 181

Conclusion 188

PART THREE The Practice of Effective Implementation 191

SEVEN Exploring Implementation in Practice 195

Implementation Dynamics: The Hardest Hit Fund 196

Implementation Dynamics: The Quality Rating and Improvement System 211

Opportunities for Change 222

EIGHT Leading Learning in Implementation Systems 225

Investigating Technical Challenges 228

Engaging Others in Adaptive Challenges 246

Bringing It All Together 259

Appendix A Policy Field Audit 261

Appendix B Policy Field Visual Diagram 263

Appendix C Program Process Flow 265

Appendix D Organization Program Integration Audit 267

Appendix E Frontline Interactions Audit 271

Appendix F Target Experiences Analysis 275

Appendix G Implementation Dynamics and Outcomes Analysis 279

Appendix H Implementation Improvement Blueprint 283

Notes 287

Bibliography 339

Index 379