Analysis Analysis is the first step to effective advocacy, just as it is the first step to any effective action. Activities or advocacy efforts designed to have an impact on public policy start with accurate information and in-depth understanding of the problem, the people involved, the policies, the implementation or non-implementation of those policies, the organizations, and the channels of access to influential people and decision-makers. The stronger the foundation of knowledge on these elements, the more persuasive the advocacy can be.

Key questions are: What are the problems? What are the existing policies that cause or relate to these problems and how are they implemented? How would changes in policy help resolve the problems? What type of policy change is needed (legislation, proclamation, regulation, legal decision, committee action, institutional practice, or other)? What are the financial implications of the proposed policy change? Who are the stakeholders associated with the desired policy change? Who are the advocates and supporters? Who are the opponents? Who are the decision-makers? Who are the undecided or swing voters? How are changes in policies made at different levels? Who and what influences the key decision-makers? Whom do they believe? Who are their influential constituents and co-workers? What arguments are they most likely to respond to? What are their priorities—rational, emotional, personal? What is the communication structure related to policy-making? What are the channels that reach policy-makers? What is a credible message for policy-makers? Next | Previous

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