We can readily agree on the design situation most
conducive to sound problem definition and thus
to high confidence policy design. The fortunate
policy designer would have a well-filled physical
or electronic shelf. It would contain reasonably
clear specifications of values, based on
widely accepted patterns of actor representation.
It would provide strong causal theories and
empirically established sensitivities to legislation,
administrative guidance, judicial decisions,
resource inputs, organizational reforms, and
public relations campaigns – together with their
temporal leads and lags. It would make available
detailed, timely and accurate profiles of current
states of affairs. Dream on.