Question

Implementation of policy recommendations is often a problem. What do you see as the major barriers to the implementation of policy? Why do they exist? How might these barriers be overcome?

Answer 1

When we consider the implementation of a policy, we can say that the following barriers can be supposed to be present:

1. EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT OPINIONS
Trying to make everybody happy with a single implementation is impossible. Therefore, there would be a barrier in the likeliness of everybody to be “for” against” it.

2. NOT HAVING ENOUGH DATA
While policies are but upon the decisions which are in turn based upon the data, the fact that data collection is only limited to the formulation of the policy and not its implementation severely limits the process.

3. LACK OF RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Change management is a process that follows every policy implementation and therefore due to resource constraints or time implications we may not be able to implement a policy successfully.

4. LACK OF SUPPORT FROM SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND STAKEHOLDERS
Our system needs the required support to gain traction with everybody that is affected by it and therefore, this presents a common barrier.

To make the process a successful implementation we can:

1. Accurately define the problem areas before implementation and come up with a possible solution. Setting achievable goals is a necessity.
2. Target test groups to implement the policies on a smaller scale before taking the big leap.
3. Measure the performance, implications, and impact of the plan to determine its viability.
4. Define the guidelines for implementation especially for the leader and managers to control the change process.