Governments have a range of possible responses to any given public issue. It is important that the instrument or option selected is appropriate to the nature and scale of the problem, and is tailored to the local context in which it occurs.

The merit of a given list of policy alternatives, and ultimately the recommended policy option, must reflect of the thoroughness and rigor that is applied to the identification and analysis of the issue, the degree and types of engagement and consultation undertaken, and the evaluation and measurability of the policy option once it has been implemented. Identifying alternatives involves an analysis of both quantitative data (e.g., resources required to implement) and qualitative data (e.g. anticipated public/stakeholder reaction), which can be presented in a summarized pros and cons list for each option.

Policy professionals must apply forward thinking in an attempt to anticipate changing conditions to avoid policy alternatives that may quickly become irrelevant or ineffective. This proposition is challenging considering the demands on decision makers to implement effective policy responses with a degree of expediency.

When assessing policy solutions and deciding which alternative should be the recommended option, policy professionals should base their assessment on several factors. These factors include considerations such as: ability to address root causes of the issues, effect of the problem on targeted populations, legal feasibility, budget impacts, ease to implement, alignment with public input/ public opinion. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather illustrates some of the main considerations, which will vary depending on the issue being examined.

Activities to Support Generating Policy Solutions and Alternatives:
If you are being asked to help generate policy solutions and alternatives, the following activities may help:

• Review your jurisdictional scan to see what, if anything, is being done in other jurisdictions.
  • Ask yourself: Can this solution be adopted or modified to suit our local context? Do we have the resources to implement this solution? Is it working elsewhere?
• Consider whether or not this is a problem that falls within your department’s mandate.
  • Ask yourself: Is the provincial government the best body to address this issue? Is there an opportunity to partner with another government entity, or external body or organization to implement any of the explored solutions?
• Review the findings from your public, stakeholder and client engagement to determine what factors should be considered in developing possible solutions.
  • Ask yourself: Did the engagement provide us with any potential solutions? Was there any indication of what people needed to see or not see in the solution?
• Develop the criteria that you wish to assess each possible solution against.
  • Ask yourself: How can I weigh the relative benefit of these options? What do I need to consider when determining which option would be best?
• Develop a list of pros and cons for each solution, based on the assessment criteria.
  • Ask yourself: What solutions are within government’s ability and authority to implement? What resources will be required to implement these solutions? Does the output justify the input? How will the solution affect various populations (e.g., Indigenous people, rural and remote communities, women, low-income families and individuals, newcomers, persons with disabilities etc.)?
• Evaluate the list of pros and cons for each solution and choose a recommended option.
  • Ask yourself: Which solution provides the overall best value and best fits within our ability to deliver? Is this solution in line with our research and evidence? Is this solution in line with what was heard during the engagement process?

During the generating policy solutions and alternative stage, engagement can help identify solutions to address the problem, informed by the research and common understanding of the issue. This engagement may include a follow up engagement (workshop, meeting, focus group, etc.) with those impacted by the proposed solution to receive feedback and input on whether or not the solution adequately addresses the identified issue or problem. It may be worth considering whether the solution could be piloted on a small scale, before rolling out more broadly, to test its suitability, feasibility and effectiveness.

Need some help getting started? This Policy Canvas: Preparing Alternatives Checklist will help you organize and evaluate your findings so that you can rank your alternatives.