Public Policy & Government Decision-Making Fundamentals

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About Course

Course Code: PSF-105

Program: GovSphere

Academy: Foundations of Public Service

This course introduces public servants to the fundamentals of public policy and government decision-making. It helps learners understand how public problems are identified, how policy options are developed, how decisions are made, and how those decisions are translated into services, programs, regulations, and institutional action.

The course is designed for practical public service application. It does not focus on political debate. Instead, it strengthens learners’ ability to think clearly, use evidence responsibly, understand public value, support sound decisions, and contribute to effective policy implementation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the purpose and importance of public policy in government.
  • Understand the public policy cycle and how policies move from problem identification to implementation.
  • Recognize how evidence, citizen needs, stakeholder input, and public value influence policy decisions.
  • Apply structured thinking to government decision-making.
  • Identify common risks, trade-offs, and constraints in public sector decisions.
  • Support effective implementation of policy decisions through communication, coordination, and follow-through.
  • Understand how monitoring and evaluation improve policy outcomes.
  • Develop a practical policy and decision-making improvement brief.

Learning Experience: Video lessons, audio deep dives, Putting It All Together audio lessons, study guides, workbooks and activities, knowledge checks, and discussion forums.

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What Will You Learn?

  • Explain the purpose and importance of public policy in government.; Understand the public policy cycle and how policies move from problem identification to implementation.; Recognize how evidence, citizen needs, stakeholder input, and public value influence policy decisions.; Apply structured thinking to government decision-making.; Identify common risks, trade-offs, and constraints in public sector decisions.; Support effective implementation of policy decisions through communication, coordination, and follow-through.; Understand how monitoring and evaluation improve policy outcomes.; Develop a practical policy and decision-making improvement brief.

Course Content

Foundations of Public Policy
This module introduces Foundations of Public Policy within Public Policy & Government Decision-Making Fundamentals. Introduce learners to the meaning, purpose, and importance of public policy, and explain how policy shapes government priorities, services, programs, and citizen outcomes. Learners explore Understanding Public Policy, Why Public Policy Matters in Public Service, Policy, Strategy, Regulation and Programs, and Public Value and Citizen Needs.

  • Understanding Public Policy
    07:51
  • Why Public Policy Matters in Public Service
    07:51
  • Policy, Strategy, Regulation and Programs
    07:51
  • Public Value and Citizen Needs
    07:51
  • Putting It All Together

The Public Policy Cycle
This module introduces The Public Policy Cycle within Public Policy & Government Decision-Making Fundamentals. Explain the key stages of the public policy cycle and show how public servants contribute through information, analysis, implementation, reporting, feedback, and improvement. Learners explore Understanding the Policy Cycle, Problem Identification and Agenda Setting, Policy Design and Option Development, and Implementation, Monitoring and Review.

Evidence, Stakeholders and Policy Decisions
This module introduces Evidence, Stakeholders and Policy Decisions within Public Policy & Government Decision-Making Fundamentals. Help learners understand how evidence, stakeholder needs, operational realities, resource constraints, risks, and public value shape government policy and decision-making. Learners explore Evidence-Informed Policy Making, Stakeholder Input and Consultation, Balancing Needs, Resources and Constraints, and Risk, Impact and Unintended Consequences.

Government Decision-Making Fundamentals
This module introduces Government Decision-Making Fundamentals within Public Policy & Government Decision-Making Fundamentals. Introduce learners to structured decision-making in government, including decision criteria, accountability, documentation, transparency, escalation, and responsible judgment. Learners explore How Government Decisions Are Made, Decision Criteria and Option Evaluation, Accountability, Documentation and Decision Records, and Escalation, Approval and Responsible Judgment.

Policy Implementation and Continuous Improvement
This module introduces Policy Implementation and Continuous Improvement within Public Policy & Government Decision-Making Fundamentals. Help learners apply policy and decision-making knowledge to implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and improvement in public service delivery. Learners explore Turning Policy Decisions into Action, Communicating Policy Decisions Clearly, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and Public Policy and Decision-Making Improvement Brief.

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