Strategy & Public Policy (STR)

What the layer describes

The STR layer answers the question “Why does the institution act?”. It describes the direction of public policy (Policy), the results pursued and the means by which they are achieved. The layer records intent; legal authority belongs to LEG.

Concepts and how they relate

A public policy states the intent and the results pursued. A policy area (PolicyArea) aggregates related policies where needed, through the “aggregates” relationship (aggregation). A policy instrument (PolicyInstrument) is the means by which the policy is put into effect. Where needed, the policy has as its legal basis a legal resource (LegalResource) or a legal provision (LegalProvision), through the “has legal basis” relationship (legalBasis).

A goal (Goal) is a qualitative result pursued. An objective (Objective) is a measurable contribution to a goal, with a deadline. An indicator (Indicator) measures a goal, an objective, a public service (PublicService) or a capability (Capability), through the “measures” relationship (measures). A project (Project) or a programme (Programme) from IMP realises an objective, through the “realises” relationship (realisation).

A driver (Driver) motivates change. Optionally, it influences a goal through the “influences” relationship (influence), as does a stakeholder (Stakeholder). The target of the relationship is an element of the intent family, for example a goal, a principle (Principle), a strategic assessment (Assessment) or an achieved outcome (Outcome). A public policy governs other elements where needed, through the “governs” relationship (governs).

Element types

The layer has 11 element types, in these families: structure (1), intent (9), location (1). Each type's own fields are listed under its definition; the fields common to every element are described under the core concepts.

• PolicyAreaPolicy area · location family

  A subject area used to organise related public policies.

  Key attributes: cofogCode
• PolicyPolicy · intent family

  A statement of public policy intent and the outcomes it seeks.

  Key attributes: statusadoptedOn
• PolicyInstrumentPolicy instrument · intent family

  A means of implementing policy, linked to its legal basis where appropriate.

  Key attributes: instrumentType
• GoalGoal · intent family

  A qualitative outcome the public organisation aims to achieve.

  Key attributes: statementhorizonmotivatedBydecomposesInto
• ObjectiveObjective · intent family

  A measurable, time-bound contribution to a goal.

  Key attributes: targetdeadlinedecomposedFrommeasuredByunit
• IndicatorIndicator · intent family

  A measure used to assess progress or performance.

  Key attributes: unitbaselinetargetValuefrequencydataSourceformulatargetcadencederivesFrom
• PrinciplePrinciple · intent family

  A rule of direction that guides architecture and policy choices.

  Key attributes: statementrationaleimplicationsconstrains
• StakeholderStakeholder · structure family

  A person or group with an interest in, influence on, or concerns about the architecture.

  Key attributes: interestinfluenceconcerns
• DriverDriver · intent family

  An internal or external force that motivates policy or architecture change.

  Key attributes: concernedBymotivates
• AssessmentAssessment · intent family

  A judgement about a driver, goal or related strategic concern.

  Key attributes: influences
• OutcomeOutcome · intent family

  A result attributable to pursuing a goal or delivering change.

  Key attributes: realises

In the “Family support benefit” example

Figure 4.1 (page 21) shows the STR layer in the example. The public policy “Family support access policy” has as its legal basis the legal resource “Family support law”, from LEG. The indicator “Decision timeliness” measures the goal “Timely and fair family support”. It tracks the share of applications decided within ten days.

The project “Assisted access improvement”, from IMP, is associated with the goal through the “is associated with” relationship (association). The driver “Unequal access to support” and the stakeholder “Applicant representatives” have no relationships. Their links are fields: the driver motivates the goal, and the stakeholder holds this concern.