Summer 2026 SOWK 588 Week 01b - Foundations of Advanced Policy Practice - Prospective Analysis and Defining the Problem

Slide 1
A presentation slide titled 'Foundations of Advanced Policy Practice' describes prospective analysis. Contains text: 'Prospective analysis is a systematic examination of possible future policy options,' and credits Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., Heritage University, Summer 2026, SOWK 588 Week 01b.

Summer 2026 SOWK 588 Week 01b - Foundations of Advanced Policy Practice - Prospective Analysis and Defining the Problem

title: Summer 2026 SOWK 588 Week 01b - Foundations of Advanced Policy Practice - Prospective Analysis and Defining the Problem date: 2026-05-29 17:39:45 location: Heritage University tags:

  • Heritage University
  • MSW Program
  • SOWK 588 presentation_video: > “” description: >

Welcome to the start of SOWK 588, Advanced Policy Practice. Week one has a synchronous class session on Saturday (05/30/26). This week, we are starting our exploration of policy analysis by reflecting on previous policy analyses you have done. In the forums, you can write a definition of a problem, discuss current events and the impact of poverty, and further consider policy analysis. In class, we will continue to explore prospective policy analysis, applying it’s steps through a group process. I have a video that discusses/reviews the course syllabus and the key assignments for this class. During the in-class session, the agenda will be as follows:

  • Course implementation discussion and housekeeping
  • Practice with the process of prospective policy analysis

Learning Objectives this week include:

  • Understand the significant assignments and general flow of this class
  • Define a policy problem as a gap between a descriptive, as-is, condition and a normative, to-be, condition.
  • Construct a succinct, evidence-informed problem definition for social policy
  • Synthesize insights from contemporary data and events to reflect on evolving issues in policy practice
  • Describe and apply the sequential approach to policy analysis in classical models of prospective policy analysis.
Slide 2
Text in large, bold font states: 'Yakmumani Tiicham (The land of the Yakama People).' Below, it acknowledges the land of the 14 Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, expressing gratitude. At the bottom, 'Land Acknowledgement' is noted.

Land Acknowledgement

[Whole Group Activity] Read Land Acknowledgment

Yakmumani Tiicham (The land of the Yakama People). We would like to acknowledge that we are coming to you from the traditional lands of the first people of our valley, the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and we honor with gratitude the land itself and the Yakama People.

This hybrid version of the course is also being facilitated in Kennewick and is on the ancestral homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Yakama, and Palouse peoples. I also desire to honor and acknowledge them as well.

Slide 3
Slide titled 'Plan for Week 01' features a white background on the left with 'Agenda' points: 'Course implementation discussion and housekeeping' and 'Practice with the process of prospective policy analysis.' The right side, in pink, lists the 'Learning Objectives': 'Describe and apply the sequential approach to policy analysis in classical models of prospective policy analysis.'

Plan for Week 01

Agenda

  • Course implementation discussion and housekeeping
  • Practice with the process of prospective policy analysis

Learning Objectives

  • Describe and apply the sequential approach to policy analysis in classical models of prospective policy analysis.
Slide 4
Text on the left outlines hybrid format expectations, emphasizing participation, professionalism with cameras on, and proactive communication. On the right, a blurry laptop screen suggests a virtual meeting, surrounded by green leaves.

Hybrid Format: Considerations & Expectations

My commitments

  • Provide opportunities to interact and engage
  • Plan lessons to have opportunities to be done in-person or online
  • Prepare and practice technologies before
  • Ensure equitable access to materials

Expectations for participants

  • Participation and Engagement: Active participation is expected, whether you join in person or online.
  • Camera On and Professionalism: Please keep your camera on during synchronous sessions to signal presence and professional engagement. If you need to step away or be otherwise engaged for a few minutes, turning your camera off signals that you are otherwise occupied.
  • Speaking Up and the Chat: If you have a question, please speak up verbally and ask it. Don’t be afraid to interrupt, and I might not see the chat right away. There will also be opportunities to share in the chat, and I will incorporate and share them with the group.
Slide 5
An image shows a document labeled 'Heritage University' detailing a syllabus with information like instructor's name and contact details. Beside it, text reads: 'Questions About Class, Syllabus, or Assignments'.

Course Question Opportunity

You all should have hopefully watched my video reviewing the syllabus. I don’t want to go over it here in this setting, but I’m open if people have questions lets talk about it.

[Whole Group Activity] Course Questions

Slide 6
A smartphone screen displays an audiobook titled 'Introduction to Policy Analysis.' Next to it, text states: 'Deep Dive: Linquiti (2022),' 'Generated by Google Notebook LM,' 'Doesn't Replace Reading,' and 'Overly sensational.'

Podcast Discussion

Deep Dive: Linquiti (2022)

  • Generated by Google Notebook LM
  • Doesn’t Replace Reading
  • Overly sensational

Discuss my purpose in sharing and solicit thoughts ideas.

Slide 7
The image is a schedule for 'Tentative Plan for Last Class Session' on July 11th, 2026, at Toppenish Campus. Activities include program evaluation, agency presentations, potluck, headshots, focus group, and pinning celebration. Agency presentations seek to fill ten 15-minute slots with hiring agencies in the Valley and Tri-Cities area.

Tentative Plan for Last Class Session: MSW Program Evaluation and Career Day

Location: Toppenish Campus, RAU Building/Patricia Wade

Saturday July 11th, 2026 08:30 - 09:30: Program Evaluation - Final Course Evaluation, Exit Survey 09:30 - 12:00: Agency Presentations 12:00 - 01:00: Potluck, Professional Headshots 01:00 - 02:00: Program Evaluation - Focus Group 02:00 - 03:00: Pinning Celebration

Agency Presentations Working to fill ten 15-minute slots with agencies that are hiring in the Valley and Tri-Cities area to share about their program.

[Whole Group Activity] Discuss Last Class Session

  • Books (will ask you to bring back to class. Plan to provide PDFs for last session.)
  • Pinning Ceremony -> Thinking… Bring Shawls, Caps, “Cute outfits” as described by Ruby
  • Question - Invite families?
  • Other things that people might want to do or have be a part.
Slide 8
Two side-by-side graduation invitations in English and Spanish for the 2026 ceremony at Heritage University, Toppenish, WA. They display campus photos and event details: July 11 at Patricia Wade Temple.

Example of Flyer

Made by Jessica

Slide 9
A slide displays text titled 'Steps in Prospective Policy Analysis.' It lists six steps: 1) Characterize the Policy Problem, 2) Specify Policy Alternatives, 3) Identify Evaluation Criteria, 4) Create a Criteria-Alternatives Matrix and Predict Performance of Alternatives, 5) Analyze Trade-offs Across Alternatives, 6) Communicate Results. There is an abstract yellow shape with purple circular accents in the bottom left corner.

Steps in Prospective Policy Analysis

We are going to go over these step by step…

  1. Characterize the Policy Problem
  2. Specify Policy Alternatives
  3. Identify Evaluation Criteria
  4. Create a Criteria-Alternatives Matrix and Predict Performance of Alternatives
  5. Analyze Trade-offs Across Alternatives
  6. Communicate Results
Slide 10
A presentation slide shows a Google Doc titled 'Practice with Steps in Prospective Policy Analysis' listing policy analysis steps. Tabs for groups are visible. Text mentions a Google Doc link in Myheritage for further details.

Practice with Steps in Prospective Policy Analysis

  • We will talk about each step and the what we might think about related to this, and then practice in a small group.
  • Tabs for each group
  • Areas to add your groups ideas and thoughts

Link to Google Doc in the Weekly Page in Myheritage - Practice with Steps in Prospective Policy Analysis

Slide 11
The image displays text reading: 'Small Group Step 0,' instructing small groups of 3 or 4 to identify members and choose a social problem for policy analysis, following Linquiti’s steps.

Small Group Step 0

Small groups of 3 or 4 with people around you. We are going to go through Linquiti’s steps in the prospective policy analysis part by part. Work together to determine who your group is and what social problem you are going to be considering.

Slide 12
Three icons represent concepts with accompanying text. The first is a globe with a bandage, labeled 'As-is Condition: What does it look like now.' The second is a plain globe, labeled 'To-be Condition: What it should or ought to look like.' The third is a heart, labeled 'Five Whys and Why That: Getting to what is the underlying problem.' Below, text reads 'Characterize the Policy Problem' (Linguiti, 2022).

Characterize the Policy Problem

some definitions:

  • As-is Condition: What does it look like now
  • To-be Condition: What it should or ought to look like
  • Five Whys and Why That: Getting to what is the underlying problem

(Linquiti, 2022)

Slide 13
The slide presents guidelines for characterizing a policy problem, describing causes, articulating core problems, and identifying consequences concisely. It includes a citation: (Linquiti, 2022, p. 18).

Characterize the Policy Problem: How do you Define and Describe It

  • Describes the most important causes of the problem, typically in just a few words each,
  • Articulates the core problem that arises from the gap between the as-is and to-be conditions, without getting bogged down in details, and
  • Identifies the most important consequences, again in just a few words each.

(Linquiti, 2022, p. 18)

Slide 14
Text in bold and gradient colors reads, 'Small Group Step 1'. Below, smaller black text states, 'Characterize the Policy Problem.' The background is plain white.

Small Group Step 1

[Small Group Activity] Characterize the Policy Problem

Slide 15
The image shows a presentation slide. Left text: 'Specify Policy Alternatives that Might Mitigate the Problem.' Right bullet points: 'Actionable, Described in detail, Matched to the problem and context, Described, not evaluated, Not a dummy alternative' (Linqvit, 2022).

Specify Policy Alternatives that Might Mitigate the Problem

Strong policy options should are:

  • Actionable: Think concrete, imagine what it would look like
  • Described in detail: Make it clear up front so when you start making arguments, you know what to argue for/against
  • Matched to the problem and context: What is an overview of the situation and how it fits
  • Described, not evaluated: You evaluate it later
  • Not a dummy alternative: No straw man arguments

Scientific writing and making arguments. Presenting a strong case for the opposition.

(Linquiti, 2022)

Slide 16
Text on a slide reads: 'Small Group Step 2: Specify Policy Alternatives that Might Mitigate the Problem.' The background is plain white, emphasizing the text.

Small Group Step 2

[Small Group Activity] Specify Policy Alternatives that Might Mitigate the Problem

The textbook recommends 4-7.

Slide 17
A presentation slide displays a 'Pros vs Cons' chart and text titled 'Identify Criteria for Evaluating Alternatives.' Bulleted points include Efficacy, Cost, Equity, and Administrability, alongside a note: 'Also consider unintended consequences.'

Identify Criteria for Evaluating Alternatives

The next step is to consider the alternatives you developed.

Basically you are developing a detailed and considered pros and cons list.

  • Efficacy: Ability to be effective
  • Cost: Direct and indirect costs
  • Equity: Equality, liberty, justice, and security
  • Administrability: Can it be successfully implemented

Also consider unintended consequences

What the author calls off the shelf criteria.

(Linquiti, 2022)

Slide 18
Text on a white background reads: 'Small Group Step 3: Identify Criteria for Evaluating Alternatives.' The slide is part of a presentation.

Small Group Step 3

[Small Group Activity] Identify Criteria for Evaluating Alternatives

Slide 19
A table on the right lists four policy options and three evaluation criteria, arranged in a matrix format. The left side has text: 'Create a Criteria-Alternatives Matrix and Predict the Performance of Each Alternative.'

Create CAM and Predict Performance of Each

Create a Criteria-Alternatives Matrix and Predict the Performance of Each Alternative

Table relating policy options to evaluative criteria.

Slide 20
The image features a quote emphasizing the Criteria-Alternatives Matrix's importance in policy analysis. It mentions its role in organizing policy debates. Source: Linquiti, 2022, p. 29.

Quote

“By the way, if you asked me to single out the most important feature of the classical model of policy analysis, I would name the Criteria-Alternatives Matrix. Why? A thoughtful and carefully constructed CAM can be a powerful tool for organizing the debate about how to address a policy problem.”

(Linquiti, 2022, p. 29)

Slide 21
Text on a presentation slide reads, 'Small Group Step 4: Create a Criteria-Alternatives Matrix and Predict the Performance of Each Alternative.' The background is plain white.

Small Group Step 4

[Small Group Activity] Create a Criteria-Alternatives Matrix and Predict the Performance of Each Alternative

Slide 22
A white puzzle piece labeled 'Give' fits into a black circle. Adjacent text reads: 'Make The Trade-Offs Across Alternatives' with methods listed as: Cost-benefit analysis, Cost-effectiveness analysis, Multiattribute analysis, and Prose-based statement. Another black piece labeled 'Take' is below.

Make The Trade-Offs Across Alternatives

Give and take Some have to do with cost.

  • Cost benefit analysis CBA (when everything can be monitized)
  • cost-effectiveness analysis CEA (When everything but one can be monetized)
  • Multiattribute analysis MAA (Use a score vs money)
  • Prose-based statement

(Linquiti, 2022)

Slide 23
Text 'Small Group Step 5: Make The Trade-Offs Across Alternatives' is displayed in a gradient color on a plain white background, indicating a presentation slide.

Small Group Step 5

[Small Group Activity] Make The Trade-Offs Across Alternatives

This one, I have the idea as a prompt, as I don't expect you to have time now to really look at budgets or some score based tasks in a realistic way. But what would you do and how?

Slide 24
Text on a white slide reads, 'Small Group Step 6' in blue and purple, and 'Communicate the Results' in black below.

Small Group Step 6

[Whole Group Activity] Communicate the results Have groups present their findings. Can make a presentation with slides to share or share verbally.