Public Impact Fundamentals and Observatory

The Public Impact Fundamentals are a framework developed by the Centre for Public Impact to assess what makes a successful policy outcome and describe what can be done to maximise the chances of achieving public impact. The Fundamentals are complemented by the Centre's Public Impact Observatory - a library of hundreds of public policy case studies that have been analysed using the Fundamentals.

The information provided was supplied by Joannah Luetjens, Research Officer at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government 

Authors and their affiliation

The Centre for Public Impact

Year of publication 

2015

Type of resource

Example

Key features

The Centre for Public Impact brings together government leaders, policy scholars and public practitioners from around the world to learn and exchange ideas about strengthening public impact.

It contains interviews, articles, briefing bulletins and podcasts exploring innovations in public policy from a range of regions around the world. The website also offers a vast case study database of public policy successes and failures housed in the Public Impact Observatory.

Each of these examples are evaluated on the basis of the Centre’s 'Public Impact Fundamentals', that is: Legitimacy, Policy, and Action. The Fundamentals are a good example of a framework set up to evaluate public policy and offer key insights and lessons for future policy work.

Who is this resource useful for?

•    Advocates for evaluation;
•    Commissioners/managers of evaluation;
•    Evaluation users;
•    Evaluators;
•    Those involved in evaluation capacity strengthening;
•    Policy analysts

How have you used or intend on using this resource?

I have used, and intend to use, this resource for a number of reasons. First, by bringing together well-regarded policy scholars and practitioners from around the world, it offers an up-to-date account of policy innovations. Second, the purpose of the resource is clearly stated and explained. By using objective criteria such as Legitimacy, Policy, and Action, the Public Impact Observatory offers tangible lessons and key insights for scholars and practitioners interested in policy transfer, inspiration, and lesson drawing.

Specifically, I have used this resource to explore case studies which may be suitable for teaching purposes. The information is clearly presented, varied, comprehensive and well-researched.

It is useful for anyone seeking to understand how to evaluate the impact that policy can have and to assess the impacts of specific policies. 

Why would you recommend it to other people?

I would absolutely recommend this resource to anyone interested in understanding how governments and policy practitioners can understand and enhance their impact and public value. The case study database, specifically, is a good example of how to report on evaluations and as examples of using the Fundamentals framework. 

Sources

Centre for Public Impact (2015) www.CentreforPublicImpact.org [Website]. Retrieved November 2016.