Effective Implementation in Practice

Effective Implementation in Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Management 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.

• Understand how program or policy technology constitutes the core of implementation
• Study a conceptual framework encompassing power dynamics, culture, relationships in the field and the rules that are operating during program and policy implementation
• Discover a multilevel approach that identifies key points of strategic action at various levels and settings of the implementation system and assesses implementation success

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.

Jodi Sandfort is Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota and Chair of the school's Leadership & Management program, providing oversight and strategic direction to the Public & Nonprofit Leadership Center and the Center for Integrative leadership. She is the author of numerous academic articles, book chapters, and reports for policymakers and practitioners about nonprofit management, social welfare system design, organizational effectiveness, early childhood education, welfare reform, and research methodology.

Stephanie Moulton is Associate Professor at The Ohio State University's John Glenn School of Public Affairs. Moulton's research, teaching, and service combine policy and management, with a focus on the implementation and evaluation of housing policies and programs, and cross-sector determinants of public outcomes.

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

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