Services
Research, advice and evaluation, shaped around the question and the context.
Research and analysis Evidence, context and interpretation for complex questions.
PolicySpark helps organizations understand issues, assess evidence and consider what the findings mean for policy and practice. Work can range from a focused literature review or environmental scan to a larger research and analytical assignment. Scope, methods and outputs are agreed around the question.
You get:
- Evidence reviews and research syntheses that distinguish findings, limitations and gaps
- Environmental scans and issue analyses that explain the wider context
- Interviews and stakeholder perspectives where they help answer the question
- Systems analysis and mapping where relationships and complexity need closer examination
- Clear reports, briefing notes and implications for decisions or further work
What it supports: A clearer understanding of the issue and its implications, with the evidence and reasoning behind the advice made explicit.
Policy and program advice Develop sound policies and programs, and work through practical choices.
PolicySpark helps organizations develop and review policies and programs, assess options and consider implementation. The work brings evidence and context together with a clear understanding of the organization’s objectives, constraints and responsibilities.
You get:
- Policy research, development and review
- Options analysis, including trade-offs and implementation considerations
- Program design, results frameworks and theories of change
- Stakeholder input and synthesis of differing perspectives
- Advice, briefing materials and recommendations suited to the decision
What it supports: Clearer choices, a stronger rationale and practical next steps. Scope and outputs are agreed for each assignment.
Evaluation and learning Understand results, examine program logic and identify improvements.
PolicySpark supports evaluation and learning across the life of a policy or program. The work can involve clarifying intended results, designing an evaluation, gathering and interpreting evidence, or translating findings into improvements. The approach is proportionate to the question, context and available information.
You get:
- Evaluation scoping, design and evaluability assessment
- Theories of change and results frameworks with assumptions made explicit
- Performance measurement approaches and indicators suited to their intended use
- Analysis of implementation, results and the factors that help explain them
- Evaluation reports, learning summaries and practical recommendations
What it supports: A more useful account of what is happening, what is being achieved and what could be improved, without overstating what the evidence can establish.
Outputs shaped around your question
Scope and outputs are agreed for each assignment. Depending on the work, these may include:
- Research and evidence syntheses
- Policy analysis and options papers
- Program designs and results frameworks
- Evaluation findings and learning reports
- Systems analyses and stakeholder summaries
- Briefing notes and practical recommendations
Get in Touch
Tell us what you are working on and where independent research or advice could help.
PolicySpark works directly with organizations and alongside consulting teams on suitable assignments.