Economics Assignment: PPEV5040 Public Policy Analysis Report

This economics assignment delves into the intricacies of public policy analysis, presenting a comprehensive examination of key issues in problem construction and deconstruction, theory of change, stakeholder analysis, and stakeholder mapping. The assignment then applies these concepts to a specific public policy problem in Nigeria, exploring its construction and deconstruction, developing a theory of change, conducting a stakeholder analysis, and creating a stakeholder map. Furthermore, the assignment analyzes a project focused on the prevention of maternal deaths, evaluating its progress and financial aspects. The solution provides detailed insights into the complexities of policy implementation and evaluation within a developing country context. The document covers topics such as public policy problem in Nigeria, stakeholders involved, theory of change and stakeholder mapping.

Running head: ECONOMICS ASSIGNMENT
Economics Assignment
University Name
Student Name
Authors’ Note

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Table of Contents
Solution to Question 1:...............................................................................................................2
Solution to Question 2:...............................................................................................................6
Solution to Question 3:.............................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................18

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Solution to Question 1:
Key Issues that should be considered when constructing and deconstructing a problem,
doing a theory of change, a stakeholder analysis, and stakeholder mapping
The process of construction entails raising overall visibility of constant weaknesses by means
spectacular focussing events such as crises, employment of different statistical indicators or
else manipulation of feedback from prior experiences (Walker 2015). However, it is
important to take into account certain factors while carrying out the construction process. The
procedure of construction includes collection of important change agents for answering four
important questions, that is to say, “What is the chief problem?”, “Why or how does it
matter?”, “ To whom does the specific issue matter?”, “ Who needs to care for the issues
faced?” and many more. It is important to the both in principle as well as practice to consider
about the ones who answers the questions. Basically, one needs to be aware regarding power
dynamics at play in collecting certain agents to undertake the work. Also, it is crucial to make
certain that agents who can foster essential next steps in the change procedure are engaged in
the procedure. Fundamentally, balancing the tension has need of agitators as well as decision
makers in the process of construction of problem (Turner 2016). Importantly, these agents
can all be considered to be internal to the specific context targeted for alteration. Therefore,
the process of construction of problem can help in steering away one from illustrating the
problem as the dearth of a preferred solution. However, the effectually constructed problems
can mobilize actions and the opposite effects can be present in case if the group engaged in
the process of construction can dwell on the problem. The key issues faced in construction
and deconstruction of problems includes Inappropriate structure of business concern,
deficient communication, weak management of performance, non-universality of

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information, gaps in connection, poor calculations for the short term, inadequate management
of risk and limited capabilities of skill (Larson et al. 2014).
Key issues considered while doing a theory of change
Confusing liability with hope: A theory of change has the need to clarify the results a
particular non-profit shall hold itself for attaining. In itself, there is need to know the results
that are needed to be delivered in order to be successful. Explaining outcomes in this manner
can compel the corporation to get real regarding the influence that it can create and not just
what the business hopes to create (Schwalbe 2015).
Developing a target in place of a target
An appropriate theory of change does not necessarily replicate what the business concern is
already undertaking, rather, it articulates what the business concern wants to be liable for and
operates backward to recognise necessary actions, stratagems, resources as well as
capabilities and many others (Joslin and Müller 2015). In case if the theory of change does
not direct towards proposal of changes to different elements, then it can be said that possibly
the matter has not properly analysed.
Not confirming overall plausibility of the theory of change
Whilst internal dialogue is a common foundation for development of theory of change, the
procedure need not conclude without a rigorous effort to validate whether the theory is
‘conceivable’.
Developing a theory that is not measurable

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In a bid to examine, refine and enhance the theory of change over a period of time, there is
need to measure different important elements. Boyle (2017) suggests that a common way to
operationalize the theory of change is to be more specific. There is need to articulate all the
probable inputs, outputs as well as outcomes indicators that the theory of change
recommends. In case if there is problem in gathering these indicators at the appropriate
frequencies to learn what is learning, then there might be the need to specify theory of change
at a adequate depth.
Assuming different aspects of theory of change have been figured out
In order to acquire the most of the theory of changes, there is need to identify and explicitly
account for different uncertainties that underlie the particular plan. Essentially, learning
organizations watchfully specify their suppositions, regularly replicating whether these
suppositions are bearing out, and considering the new suppositions as well as hypothesis that
business concerns can examine at certain frequency (van Dongen et al. 2017). In essence, a
learning agenda can make certain that theory of change of corporation is continuously
revisited.
Key Issues in doing stakeholder analysis
Stakeholder analysis involves identification of stakeholders that are likely to be affected and
influenced by the actions of the business concern. In essence, the stakeholder analysis also
involves assessment of the way stakeholders can be influenced (Athey and Imbens 2017).
Again, this analysis involves anticipation of different consequences of any alteration in the
activities of the corporation. Further, these stakeholder analyses also assure a successful
outcome for the business concern by developing co-operation with different stakeholders.
However, there are certain issues involved in the process of stakeholder analysis as it is best
done on continuous basis (Price 2017). Also, disadvantage of the stakeholder analysis is that

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assessment of this specific analysis might perhaps be subjective. Also, it might be the fact
that all interests of the stakeholders cannot be satisfied at the same time during stakeholder
analysis. As a result, there is need to concentrate on key stakeholders and balance and
reconcile diverse interests as per importance otherwise urgency.
Issues encountered in mapping stakeholders
The problems encountered in mapping stakeholders include the following:
- Searching for stakeholders for undertaking research that has no clear beneficial influences
-Recognizing stakeholders who are sufficiently interested in very nuanced or fine grained
research findings (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017)
-Exploring completely unknown stakeholders for novel research projects
-Sourcing pertinent stakeholders for older or else newly reopened projects and searching for
new ways of re-engaging with the same
-Using networks of stakeholders from different failed research proposals and undertaking
pertinent contacts to different larger projects or else re-developed research proposals (Rees
2017)
-Connecting diverse levels of stakeholders to develop a coherent plan for engagement. For
instance, by connecting the local to the global
-drawing together very disparate otherwise non-traditional groupings of stakeholders
-stakeholder mapping in a business environment or else context that is not amenable to
evidence or else openly repressive of the discourse that the research is necessarily
communicating (Drummond et al. 2015)

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-mapping of different stakeholders of a specific research with direct government financing or
else research outcomes that conflicts with interests of different financiers
-distilling different stakeholders from highly collaborative or else complicated research
projects (Vedung 2017)
Solution to Question 2:
Identification of a public policy problem in a developing country of your choice, and
write a construction and deconstruction of the problem, a theory of change, stakeholder
analysis and stakeholder mapping
Public policy problem in Nigeria includes military rule that resulted in a specific top-down
policymaking procedure. In essence, power is chiefly focused in particularly the presidency,
and input can be acquired from mainly the president and cabinet ministers by means channels
instituted by patron clientelism (Ieg.worldbankgroup.org 2018). Nigeria is necessarily a
rentier state and a rentier economy is hugely supported by state expends, whilst the state
accepts rent from diverse other nations. Basically, Iran as well as Nigeria accepts earning by
means of exporting oil and leasing out different oil fields to different foreign nations. The
primary role of the states in this economy is to control revenue of the nation and spend the
earnings referred to as rents that mainly come from oil (Siggel 2016). Particularly,
individuals, different groups as well as communities have learned to act in response through a
rent seeking behaviour, mainly by competing for government. Majority of the Nigerians
thrive without much access and partake in the informal economy of unreported earnings from
small scale trade as well as subsistence agriculture. Throughout the period, Nigeria has
acquired clout whenever Middle Eastern tensions have discontinued supplies of oil from that
specific region, compelling developed nations to depend more on Nigerian oil. After
worldwide increase in oil prices, Nigeria was compelled to turn to transnational corporations

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for help in handling its huge nationwide debt (Unevaluation.org 2018). A structural
adjustment program was developed with the support of the World Bank as well as
International Monetary Fund (Wiesner 2017). This program intended to restructure and
diversify Nigerian economy so that it could lessen reliance on oil. Also, the government also
pledged to decrease government spending and to privatise para-statals. The economy of
Nigeria did not suffer much during 2008 crisis, and partly system of banking improved
considerably under initiative of President Obasanjo. Another contributing factor that directed
towards stable economy of Nigeria is that it paid off sizeable debts under structural
adjustment program. Nonetheless, the steep decline in the oil price created economic damage,
counting devaluation of the nation currency (Brazier et al. 2017). Nigerian Stock
Exchange reflected steep decline, decrease in housing prices and disappearance of small
amount of global tourism. Again, inability of Nigeria to deliver electric power has sustained.
Issues faced:
The nation finds itself drowned in debt and majority of the people sustain poverty. In essence,
tremendous oil revenues have necessarily disappeared into government officials, and majority
of Nigerians have not gained from the same at all. Also, the federal government pled to the
Supreme Court to permit the federal government to amass oil revenues and pool the same
into a definite federal account. Apparently, this seems to be revenue sharing or else
permitting the whole nation benefit from offshore oil gains. Nonetheless, the specific areas in
the south together with the Niger Delta protested vehemently against the practice as they
observed the policy to come from the northerners who wanted to take away profits from the
southerners (Giglio et al. 2016). And without confidence in their government, almost none
believed that profits would benefit other than corrupt government officials.

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Theory of change for public policy
Synthetic Approaches can be adopted in public policy. The underlying theme in particularly
public policy is that policy alteration and variation stems from mainly interaction of different
factors affecting decision making. In this framework for analysis, considerations regarding
nature of decision making were mixed into different accounts of the influence of diverse
ideas and the procedures of agenda-setting. In essence, policy coalition can also be taken into
consideration that is necessarily a wider set of procedures than what is evoked by the network
metaphor. In essence, coalitions comprise of more number of participants than the traditional
whirlpool or else triangle of decision makers (Parsa et al. 2017). This can essentially explain
change in policy. Essentially, the basic idea is that multiple policy advocacy coalition, each
one having own ideas regarding policy content, competition for dominance in a specific sub-
system.
Stakeholder Analysis
The stakeholders engaged can be classified as oil corporations, specifically the International
Oil Companies, organized labour, diverse host communities and general public, regional
interests as well as government. The host communities in this regard are mainly the
communities that are hosting the petroleum resource in the land else wise people resident
within the petroleum prospecting license otherwise petroleum mining lease region (Dunn
2015).

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Stakeholder Mapping
Solution to Question 3:
Selection of the project: Health: Prevention of Maternal Deaths

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This project focuses on decreased option to unsafe abortion and enhanced utilization of
family planning for particularly women. The project started during 25th July in the year 2011
and is anticipated to end during 30th September during the year 2018. Again, progress in
terms of time is roughly 97.19%. Essentially, project budget is necessarily £139,347,939 and
expenditure till date is £129,082,424 (92.63%) (Oecd.org 2018). Particularly, sector groups
mainly present a particular percentage of budgets of nation as per Development Assistance
Committee’s categorisation. A comparison to predict expends and the total amount of money
expended on the project to date.
Performance Indicator: Financial Metrics can be used as a key performance indicator in
this current project. Proper management of the project can be carried out by using
performance indicators that can continue to deliver higher standards of actions (Weimer and
Vining 2017). In this regard, cost can measure overall effectiveness of cost and search for the
best ways to lessen and handle the costs. The value for money when properly benchmarked
against worldwide standards therefore is used as a performance indicator. In this regard, it
can be hereby mentioned that value for money analysis meets different requirements
established in different business cases as well as log frame (Ons.gov.uk 2018). The
performance indicator that concentrates on value for money helps in understanding variances
between different channels that undertake the same. Important learning can be effective for
future programming (Vedung 2017).
Value for Money Indicators can be considered to be important benchmarking means for
evaluating value for money in particularly the public sector. There are different programmes
that deliver provision of different sexual reproductive health and rights services, upholding
different public as well as private facilities to deliver services, providing training to health
sector staff designing policy along with regulatory environment and sharing different lessons

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(Dror 2017). The programmes are said to be well adapted to different altering circumstances
and functioning environment and diverse constraints to deliver a successful programme.
The mean cost incurred for CYP (couple years protection) and cost incurred for every DALY
(Disability-Adjusted Life Years) can be taken into consideration as a performance indicator
(Morra Imas et al. 2009). As per records, it can be seen that cost/CYP was registered to be
£5.0 whereas the same was recorded to be £5.7. Again, cost/DALY was recorded to be £11.2
while the same was recorded to be £14.6 in the previous year utilizing relatively conservative
suppositions. Again, on the other hand, it can be seen that since the past year, an
approximated 6644 maternal deaths can be averted owing to different activities involved in
different programmes implemented across Africa as well as Asia (Morra Imas and Rist 2009).
Since at all levels the staffs of the firm have an inclination to be dedicated and at the same
time competent, there is substantiation regarding good amount of cooperation between
different partners (Ehrenberg and Smith 2016).
Therefore, the value for money analysis used as a performance indicator can help in
understanding optimum combination of particularly life cycle costs along with quality of a
specific good or else service to satisfy the requirements of the users. This analysis is usually
presented in quantitative form and is expressed as a percentage or in monetary form.
Essentially, there are different timings of the value for money that entails the project
development, procurement as well as implementation of project (Walker 2015). Also, this
analysis can help in identification of potential options of procurement, identification,
monetization as well as allocation of project risks, development of different comparators and
consideration of different qualitative factors as well (Sabatier and Weible 2014). For the
current case under consideration, identification of procurement options include designing,
building, financing, operating and maintaining different options of procurement. Thereafter,
assessment of risk includes identification of risk, allocation of risk, quantification of risk and

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value risk. Thereafter, development of comparator also involves estimation of present value
of specific hypothetical, risk-adjusted program costs along with revenue of diverse
conventionally procured programs (Oecd.org 2018). Also, this stage of “value for money” as
a performance indicator also include supposing that the project is entirely completed to
similar scope as well as quality standards, supposing similar timeframe (Turner 2016).
Further, the analysis involves understanding present value of particularly net costs to
particularly agencies for the purpose of delivering similar projects. This includes
comprehending contract payment, revenue to different agencies as well as retained cost plus
risk. Moreover, this performance indicator that is “value for money” also comprises of
understanding competitive neutrality, other costs, risks, financing fees over and above base
cost. Further, there needs to be qualitative assessment that includes considerations associated
to different project goals and quality of service (Schwalbe 2015). Additionally, contract
associated considerations takes in viability, flexibility, achievability and assessment of
performance.
Proposal of an evaluation strategy and design, using both quantitative and qualitative
methods
The proposal for evaluation plan are necessarily designed to outline and at the same time map
different necessities and implementation of each of processes of evaluation. In essence, an
inclusive evaluation concentrates on engaging the least beneficial members of a specific
population as a fraction of a systematic examination of the merit or else the worth of a
project, policy or else program (Morra Imas and Rist 2009). Fundamentally, an inclusive
analysis is necessarily based on data, nonetheless the data are developed from the least
advantaged stakeholders and the ones that are conventionally underrepresented (Vedung
2017). Similar to empowerment analysis, specifically inclusive analysis is a transformational
concept. In itself, an inclusive analysis that is essentially a quantitative tool can aid in

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understanding significant variances within the served population. Additionally, this tool can
also assist in the process of comprehending the way services can be appropriately delivered
within diverse sub groups (Weimer and Vining 2017). Furthermore, an inclusive analysis can
help in comprehending different values that are particularly underlying the entire system of
service distribution.
Again, beneficiary assessment is on other hand qualitative tool of research that can be utilized
for the purpose of improvement of influence of different development operations by
acquiring different views of intended beneficiaries concerning a planned otherwise an
ongoing intervention. Just like inclusive evaluation, this specific approach can help in
involving different groups that often get overlooked. Particularly, this particular project
focussed approach can help in complementing different technical as well as financial
evaluation systems. The beneficiary assessment engages the final client, the project
beneficiaries (Ieg.worldbankgroup.org 2018). The underlying principle states that augmented
participation by different beneficiaries can help in designing tools as well as approaches.
The common proposal of plan presents development as well as documentation of specific
regulations along with accountabilities for different players involved in the current process
(Price 2017). This includes the following:
- Development of an effective evaluation team that can regularly satisfy for the purpose of
discussing progress plus issues and to devise an effectual way to handle different progresses
and design skills (Ons.gov.uk 2018)
-Integrating people pertinent to the subject matter of the evaluation (Athey and Imbens 2017)

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- Effective negotiation of different roles as well as accountabilities for different members of
the team for different components of evaluation within particularly resourcing and timing
constraints
- Development of requisite communication and diverse awareness stratagems
-Recognition of any kind of training requirements for different components of the evaluation,
namely undertaking specific surveys, undertaking performance stories (Kerzner and Kerzner
2017)
Implementing of a specific means of assessing progress against agreed tasks and this will
differ in detail based on overall evaluation size
Reason and the way this project can be evaluated
The revaluation can help in creating a shared understanding of the entire purposes, usage and
different users of evaluation outcomes. Also, evaluation plan can also foster transparency of
program to different stakeholders as well as decision makers (Drummond et al. 2015). Also,
evaluation strategy can help in increasing buy- in and acceptance of different mechanisms,
connecting multiple evaluation actions and this is particularly effective when a specific
program employs diverse contractors else wide contracts. Also, this evaluation aids in serving
as a advocacy tool for different evaluation resources founded on negotiated parties and
instituted stakeholder and information needs of decision makers (Rees 2017). Further, this
evaluation plan can assist in identifying whether there are adequate resources of program and
sufficient time to accomplish desired evaluation actions and answer prioritized evaluation
questions. Moreover, evaluation strategy can aid in assisting in facilitating an even transition
when there is staff turnover (Walker 2015). Also, this can facilitate in evaluation potential
developing among different partners as well as stakeholders.

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Issues that can be taken into consideration in evaluation
The issues that can be taken into consideration in the area of evaluation include relevance to
particularly evaluation purpose, considering effectiveness of costs, validity of available
information and taking into account diverse ethical issues around the way information needs
to be utilized (Vedung 2017). In this regard, it can be hereby said that evaluation process and
the team responsible for the same engage in the process of acquirement of information that
become available otherwise gaps recognized, the original form and design that might need to
be appropriately adjusted
Development of an integrity plan
Description of project Target Office Accountable Timeline
Engagement of different
stakeholders
This involves
definition of purpose
in the plan that can
influence recognition
of stakeholders for
analysis, selection of
particular evaluation
questions and
considering timing of
evaluation analysis
(Siggel 2016). The
target of this phase is
to understand who are
the specific
stakeholders, way to
Administrative Branch End of every month

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work with different
stakeholders and the
way roles of the
stakeholders are
described in the plan.
Description of different
programs
shared understanding
of specific program
and comprehending
what the evaluation
strategy can otherwise
cannot deliver
(Wiesner 2017)
Administrative division End of every month
Focussing on design of
evaluation plan
Comprehending the
purpose of particular
evaluation and the
basis for prioritization
of assessment
Administrative division End of every quarter
Planning for collecting
credible evidences
Stakeholders need to
accept that
mechanisms selected
are necessarily
appropriate
End of every month
Promoting overall
transparency
-Assessment of value for
money (analysis of cost,
cost benefit analysis)
Optimisation of output
(that is decrease in
maternal deaths) in
comparison to prior
years (Giglio et al.
Finance Management End of every
semester of each and
every year

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2016)
Justification of
conclusions
Stakeholders have the
need to inform the
evaluation and
interpretation of
specific findings and
assist in the process of
development of
conclusions
End of every
semester of each and
every year
Ensuring usage and
sharing different lessons
learnt
Stakeholders have the
need to inform specific
translation of
particular evaluation
outcomes into realistic
applications and
dynamically
participate in the
significant
dissemination of
specific lessons
learned (Parsa et al.
2017)
End of every
semester of each and
every year

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References
Athey, S. and Imbens, G.W., 2017. The state of applied econometrics: Causality and policy
evaluation. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), pp.3-32.
Boyle, G., 2017. Design project management. Routledge.
Brazier, J., Ratcliffe, J., Saloman, J. and Tsuchiya, A., 2017. Measuring and valuing health
benefits for economic evaluation. OXFORD university press.
Dror, Y., 2017. Public policy making reexamined. Routledge.
Drummond, M.F., Sculpher, M.J., Claxton, K., Stoddart, G.L. and Torrance, G.W.,
2015. Methods for the economic evaluation of health care programmes. Oxford university
press.
Dunn, W.N., 2015. Public policy analysis. Routledge.
Ehrenberg, R.G. and Smith, R.S., 2016. Modern labor economics: Theory and public policy.
Routledge.
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evaluation. Journal of Financial Economics, 119(3), pp.457-471.
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Management, 33(6), pp.1377-1392.

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Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
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van Dongen, J.M., Ketheswaran, J., Tordrup, D., Ostelo, R.W.J.G., Bertollini, R. and van
Tulder, M.W., 2017. Health economic evidence gaps and methodological constraints in low
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