Introduction
To reduce program design deficiency, various approaches have been applied. Some of the policies and programs have worked while others have not. Once a program fails to work, it needs to be re-assessed to find out whether the program objectives were realistic, specific, measurable, achievable and time-bound (Schied, 2010).
This paper focuses on what happens when a policy and its related programs do not work and contains an analytical approach which can be used to assess the policy. It also examines whether the methodology chosen may have facilitated overall analytical process.
An Example of a Policy that Did not Work
When a policy and its program fail to work, it is re-assessed and re-evaluated (Walker, Rahman & Cave, 2001). Program implementers assess whether its goals, concepts and designs were based on sound theory and practices and if they are workable.
The amount of the resources needed to implement a program is examined. This is useful in identifying the reasons why the policy and its related programs has failed (Dunn, 2012; Walker et al., 2001).
A policy to be considered is social security policy which focuses on benefits to retired people and people with disabilities as well as to their families (Social security policy options, 2010). The policy entails numerous programs aimed at achieving the balance between people’s earnings and benefits for those who are not employed for different reasons. Trust Funds have been a part of the program as well.
Nonetheless, these trust funds will soon become exhausted due to the increased number of people getting benefits and insufficient growth of GDP (which depends on effective work and revenues of younger generations) (Social security policy options, 2010).
It is estimated that if new policies are not implemented, trust funds will be completely exhausted by 2042. It is noteworthy that trust funds’ expenditure exceeded their funds in 2010 (Social security policy options, 2010). Aging society is a factor which has to be taken into account and new formulas as well as taxation have to be used.
An Analytical Approach
An approach that can be used to assess the degree and the scope of the deficiency is statistical analysis. This approach is very useful in making conclusions of the relationship among variables to apply them to new situations. Statistical analysis is divided into two, i.e. qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Qualitative statistic analysis shows company’s accounting practice together with its judgment made by the management about the figures and disclosures in financial statements.
Quantitative analysis is used to quantify the problem in records in (Dunn, 2012). The methodology can assist in facilitating the overall analytical process since it helps to measure impacts that could not be measured directly. The approach is used to generate numerical data that are valuable in enhancing accountability.
Therefore, one of the variables used for quantitative research can be effectiveness of trust funds as well as amount of benefits obtained and the number of people who get benefits. Notably, this is closely connected with the amount of taxes paid and the level of GDP.
Hence, these variables can also be utilised to assess effectiveness of the policy. Furthermore, it is essential to take into account people’s age when assessing effectiveness of the policy. Finally, it is possible to identify the number of laws and regulations (which can potentially support the policy) enacted by the Congress.
As far as qualitative research is concerned, it is possible to analyse available regulations on trust funds and the way these regulations comply with the CBO’s policy. It can also be effective to analyse public opinion on effectiveness of trust funds and the way it changes.
For instance, it is possible to analyse the way the trust funds’ operations is seen by those who get benefits, by tax payers and law makers. It is possible to evaluate the change of the public opinion within a year and 5 years.
Assessment Tools
Juffras (2011) notes that one of the major reasons why CBO’s policies fail is that the US Congress does not come up with adequate budget resolutions which comply with the CBO’s policies. Admittedly, the legislation has to support the budgeting programs, in general, and trust funds, in particular, and, of course, work on development of proper economic policies which could increase GDP.
Therefore, development of a comprehensive program and/or set of regulations by the Congress or rather its effectiveness can be another assessment tool. It is important to evaluate whether the new legislation can support the CBO’s social security policy. It is also necessary to identify specific parts where existing regulations fail to support effective operation of trust funds.
Conclusion
To sum up, a program design deficiency should be re-assessed and re-evaluated to find out the causes for its failure. A deficiency can also be reduced by involving all the stakeholders. Various approaches are involved in assessment, for example, statistical analysis which will unveil the aspects which need further research. Analysis of public opinion can also be effective as it reveals the way stakeholders evaluate this or that policy or change.
References
Dunn, W. N. (2012). Public policy analysis: An introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Juffras, J. (2011). How the Congressional Budget Office earned its clout. The Public Manager, 10-12. Web.
Schied, E. H. (2010). US Customs and Border Protection: Performance and Accountability Report: Fiscal Year 2009. New York, NY: Diane Publishing.
Social security policy options. (2010). Congress of the United States: Congressional Budget Office. Web.
Walker, W. E., Rahman, S. A., & Cave, J. (2001). Adaptive policies, policy analysis, and policy-making. European Journal of Operational Research, 128(2), 282-289.