A unique approach to policy implementation with essential guidance and useful tools
Effective Implementation in Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Management presents an instrumental approach to implementation analysis. By spanningpolicy fields, organizations, and frontline conditions in implementation systems, this book provides a robust foundation for policy makers, public and nonprofit managers and leaders. Detailed case studies enable readers to identify key intervention points, become more strategic, and improve outcomes. The engaging style and specific examples provide a bridge to practice, while diagrams, worksheets, and other tools included in the appendix help managers apply these ideas to team meetings, operational planning, and program assessment and refinement.
Policy and program implementation is fraught with challenges as public and nonprofit leaders juggle organizational missions and stakeholder expectations while managing policy and program impact and effectiveness. Using their own experience in practice, teaching, and research, the authors empower policy and program implementers to recognize their essential roles within the workplace and help them cultivate the analytical and social skills necessary to change.
* Understand how program or policy technology constitutes the core of implementation
* Study a conceptual framework encompassing power dynamics, culture, relationships in the field and the rules that are operating during program and policy implementation
* Discover a multilevel approach that identifies key points of strategic action at various levels and settings of the implementation system and assesses implementation success
The integration of policy and management mindsets gives readers an insightful yet accessible understanding of implementation, allowing them to achieve the potent results desired by the public. For those in senior positions at federal agencies to local staff at nonprofit organizations, Effective Implementation in Practice: Integrating Public Policy and Management provides an invaluable one-stop resource.

Jodi Sandfort is Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota and Chair of the school's Leadership & Management program, providing oversight and strategic direction to the Public & Nonprofit Leadership Center and the Center for Integrative leadership. She is the author of numerous academic articles, book chapters, and reports for policymakers and practitioners about nonprofit management, social welfare system design, organizational effectiveness, early childhood education, welfare reform, and research methodology.
Stephanie Moulton is Associate Professor at The Ohio State University's John Glenn School of Public Affairs. Moulton's research, teaching, and service combine policy and management, with a focus on the implementation and evaluation of housing policies and programs, and cross-sector determinants of public outcomes.

Tables, Figures, and Boxes ixThe Authors xiPreface xiiiPART ONE The Implementation Landscape 1ONE Framing Implementation 5Exploring Policy and Program Implementation 9Defining Implementation Effectiveness 12Unpacking Implementation Systems 16Bringing the Analysis to Life 28TWO Conventional Perspectives on Policy and Program Implementation 35Political Processes and Authority 37Governance and Management 43Policy and Program Evaluation 52Conclusion 64THREE A New Perspective for Implementation: Strategic Action Fields 67Introducing Strategic Action Fields 69Core Programs 74Unpacking Social Structures and Dynamics 82Conclusion 96PART TWO The Implementation System at Multiple Levels 99FOUR Policy Fields 103Policy Fields in Focus 107Analyzing the Development of the Core Program 120Applying Policy Field Analysis 131Conclusion 136FIVE Organizations 139Organizations in Focus 141Analyzing the Integration of the Core Program 148Applying Organizational Analysis 155Conclusion 162SIX Front Lines 163Front Lines in Focus 166Analyzing the Application of the Core Program 174Applying Frontline Analysis 181Conclusion 188PART THREE The Practice of Effective Implementation 191SEVEN Exploring Implementation in Practice 195Implementation Dynamics: The Hardest Hit Fund 196Implementation Dynamics: The Quality Rating and Improvement System 211Opportunities for Change 222EIGHT Leading Learning in Implementation Systems 225Investigating Technical Challenges 228Engaging Others in Adaptive Challenges 246Bringing It All Together 259Appendix A Policy Field Audit 261Appendix B Policy Field Visual Diagram 263Appendix C Program Process Flow 265Appendix D Organization Program Integration Audit 267Appendix E Frontline Interactions Audit 271Appendix F Target Experiences Analysis 275Appendix G Implementation Dynamics and Outcomes Analysis 279Appendix H Implementation Improvement Blueprint 283Notes 287Bibliography 339Index 379