The formulation of good policy is not a matter of random chance, but a skill which can be learned. It is also a skill which requires scarce resources to practice. Three main types of scarce resources are required:
· the ability and time of policy analysts to identify issues and options with an understanding of their probable consequences;· the ability, attention and time of policy makers who must understand the issues involved if they are to make sound decisions;
· other political and bureaucratic resources to bring about necessary legislation and political or financial support for a policy decision or its effective implementation, viz:
- bureaucratic resources such as "legal draftsmen" or "project planners" and
-political resources such as support from politically influential people or organisations.
For policy formulation to be effective, it is important to recognise at the outset that too many policy issues cannot be tackled simultaneously. It is essential that the most important issues be tackled first and that priorities be firmly established. The danger is that governments will utilise scarce resources on issues which are relatively unimportant.
