Policy Failure and Learning

Part 2

From Failure to Learning to Success

Failure is Challenging to Define

Why the complexity?

• Some policies are tentative first steps toward broader solutions
• Doing something shows the system responds to problems
• Would the "do nothing" option have been better?

Perfect shouldn't be the enemy of good

Excessive Policy Demand

The Problem:

• Constant demands for government to do "something"
• Makes failures more inevitable as complexity increases
• Government may claim to have resources/tools for technically infeasible policies

Result: Unrealistic expectations lead to perceived failures

Reasonable Expectations

Key Questions:

• Do we reach too far in expecting government can solve problems?
• If we make progress, is that failure even if we don't meet exact goals?

Setting realistic expectations is crucial for fair evaluation

Poor Causal Theory

The Failure Chain:

• Theory influences tool choice
• Tool choice influences implementation
• Implementation influences outcomes

Weak links anywhere in the chain can cause policy failure

Learning from Failure

The Opportunity:

• Failure provides valuable information
• Learning can lead to policy improvement
• Systematic analysis helps avoid repeating mistakes

Policy Failure and Learning

Learning as:

• A path to policy change
• Accumulating information for better decision making
• A process of discovery and key to evaluation

Learning transforms failure into opportunity

Two Types of Learning

1. Single-Loop Learning

• Correcting errors in implementation without questioning the policy
• Learn about performance
• Learn how process or tools may have failed
• Adjust by changing process or tools

Two Types of Learning

2. Double-Loop Learning

• Questioning the policy itself and underlying assumptions
• Learn from single-loop learning
• Rethink fundamental assumptions about the problem
• Learn about inherent values, goals, and assumptions

An Urge to Learn

Why We Want to Learn

1. Improve Performance

   • Internally, within organizations

2. Normative Expectations

   • We believe government and policymakers should learn
   • We institutionalize learning through evaluation, after-action reports

Three Types of Policy-Oriented Learning (1)

1. Instrumental Learning

• Learning about the best means to achieve a given end
• Focus on efficiency and effectiveness

2. Social Learning

• Learning about the values and goals that underlie policy
• Examine the social construction of the problem
• Determine if approach worked in specific environment

Three Types of Policy-Oriented Learning (2)

3. Political Learning

• Learning about the political environment and how to navigate it
• Learning about the political feasibility of policy
• Focus on how to make more effective arguments for policy

The Goal of Learning

SUCCESS!

Learning transforms failure into future success

Key Takeaways

Remember:

• Failure is complex and subjective
• Multiple types of learning are possible
• Single-loop vs. double-loop learning serve different purposes
• Instrumental, social, and political learning address different aspects
• The ultimate goal is policy improvement

Reflection Questions

1. Can you think of a policy that failed but led to important learning?
2. Which type of learning (single/double-loop) is more common in government?
3. How can we better institutionalize learning from failure?