Typically, public policy development starts with the identification of a problem. Defining the problem accurately is key. Many times there are varying views on the source and nature of a public issue/problem; views that may be framed by ideology, life experience, dominant societal values and norms, academic orientation or other considerations. Most social, economic and environmental problems, from poverty to climate change through structural unemployment, have multiple dimensions, which need to be thoroughly understood so that multi-pronged policy measures may be coordinated among governments and other stakeholders in an effort to mitigate or resolve these issues.

Activities to Help Identify and Define an Issue:
If you are being asked to help identify and define a public issue, the following activities may help:

• Write a description of the problem, as you understand it. Share this description with others to get their take on whether you have captured the problem fully and accurately.
  • Ask yourself: Why do I define the problem in this way? Might someone else define it differently?
• Think about the impacts of the problem. Make a list of the groups, individuals and organizations that have a collective stake in the problem or its solution.
  • Ask yourself: Who is affected by this issue? Would those impacted agree with my description of the problem?
• Consider whether different people perceive the problem in different ways. Undertake an environmental scan on what people are saying about this issue. Review recent surveys or questionnaires on public opinion on this topic. Conduct a survey or issue a questionnaire to gather public input.
  • Ask yourself: Is there consensus that this is a problem? Is there a consensus on how this problem is defined?
• Identify what data exists to better understand this problem. Consider whether there is baseline information that is in place, or that needs to be collected, to inform the development of policy actions to respond to this issue.
  • Ask yourself: Do I have all the information that I need to understand this issue fully? What information would be great to have to support this work, and is there a way to gather it? Who can help me collect this data?
• Examine the role of government and other parties in addressing the issue. Conduct research on how the issue is defined by others, and compare this to your original description.
  • Ask yourself: What views exist on who should address this matter, and how?

During the issue identification stage, engagement can help bring together a range of views and evidence to help define and build a common understanding of the public matter at hand. This engagement may include internal workshops with public servants working in this area, meetings with stakeholders and clients with lived experience in the policy area, or consultation with researchers and subject matter experts on studies that have been conducted related to this issue.

Do you need help focusing and defining an issue? Not sure where to start? Download our Policy Canvas: Focusing a Problem placemat to help you get started.