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Gathering knowledge
The starting point for this phase of the project is to gather relevant
data, information, and knowledge to build an accurate understanding of the
issues in hand, and the effectiveness of past and present policy
responses.
There are many different data
types & sources available, and also many methods for gathering new
knowledge, including surveys and interviews
and focus groups. The data, sources and methods used will depend
very much on the nature of the project. Each type of knowledge has
distinct sources, grammars and appropriate methods of use and interpretation.
The key challenge is to strike the right balance between formal
quantitative sources of knowledge and more subjective, qualitative types
of knowledge.
Before initiating any new research effort it is important to identify
existing data and critically appraise it to ensure it is of sufficient
quality, perhaps using methods such as systematic reviews or meta-analysis
as outlined in the Magenta
Book. Early
links should be established with the full range of government specialists
(economists, scientists, social researchers, statisticians etc) as well as
those in the wider academic and research community in order to seek advice
and avoid duplication of effort.
The design of this phase should be informed by the structure developed
when clarifying the issues using techniques such as issue
trees in the last phase. This will enable the data gathering and
analysis process to be hypothesis led and avoid the need to 'boil the
ocean' of all available sources. Although options should not be blocked
off and the information gathering process unduly narrowed, the process
will be more efficient if the team's efforts are focused around its
emerging notions of the way forward. It is important to regularly revisit
the hypotheses in the light of the emerging evidence from the data.
Gathering Sponsor & Stakeholder Perspectives
Understanding the different perspectives of the sponsor
and key stakeholders is a crucial part of the knowledge gathering process.
Taking time to understand the sponsor's perspectives will make it easier
to ensure that the project answers their key concerns. It will also
provide understanding of the political context behind the issue or
problem. Similarly, it is important to be fully informed about the
perspectives of different stakeholders. Interviews with key stakeholders,
including experts, practitioners and frontline staff - who often have a
richer understanding of the position than managers or experts - will
assist the stakeholder mapping process and should feed into the
stakeholder engagement plan. Listening to different perspectives can
provide new lenses for looking at the issues and suggest alternative
solutions.
Managing the Information Gathering Process
It is crucial to factor in sufficient time for the
knowledge gathering process. New sources will undoubtedly emerge as the
process proceeds, which will require additional time to investigate -
for example, interviewees may suggest other people to interview. However,
it is also important that the team is not distracted by areas that are not
the core focus of the project.
Where significant data and knowledge do not currently
exist, new research may need to be commissioned. The conclusions of this
research may not be available within the time scales of the project,
however strategies need to be designed to be flexible enough to respond to
new knowledge as it emerges.
Useful links:
> data types & sources
> surveys
> interviews and focus groups
> Magenta
Book
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