• Define the problem
• Gather evidence
• Identify causes
• Evaluate a policy
• Develop solutions
• Select best solution
• Benefits & Costs
• The Prince System
• Political Strategies

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Identifying the Players

Reasons for including a player are any of the following:

• The player has substantial legal authority.
• The player has political influence to promote or obstruct the decision.
  (Players that can prevent the policy from being implemented are veto players.)
• The player has formal or informal influence on a veto player.

A key to identifying the correct players is to consider the legislative, financial-administrative, and judicial requirements of the policy. If the proposed policy involves monetary decisions, include players that have authority over the budget. If the proposed policy requires revised or new legislation, include the chief executive and the legislature. If the policy requires neither new funds nor new legislation, include the bureaucracies responsible for the policy and those which influence those bureaucracies. In addition to government officials in the executive and legislative branch, include players representing key interest groups.

To develop your list of players, begin by writing down all those you think are relevant. Next, reduce the list to between five and ten of those on your list that are essential.

Grouping of Players