Identifying Key Questions in Explaining the Framework of Public Policy Formulation

Public policy formulation, the core phase of the policymaking process, is a complex stage where potential solutions to public issues are designed, evaluated, and proposed. Scholarly literature frequently relies on simplified models like the “policy cycle,” which, despite their utility, inadequately capture the real-world dynamics of this process. This research aims to transcend these models by identifying the fundamental questions that constitute a comprehensive framework for policy formulation. Employing qualitative thematic analysis of seminal texts in policy process studies, the research reveals that this framework can be understood through five overarching concepts and their corresponding central questions: Genesis: How does formulation emerge and begin? Actors: Who participates in the formulation? Content: What is being formulated? Technique: How is formulation conducted? Context: In what setting does formulation take place? This set of questions offers a powerful analytical tool for understanding, comparing, and evaluating diverse formulation processes, enabling analysts and policymakers to approach its complexities with a more systematic and profound perspective.