Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning


Book Description

Updated in its 3rd edition, Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning presents quickly applied methods for analyzing and resolving planning and policy issues at state, regional, and urban levels. Divided into two parts, Methods which presents quick methods in nine chapters and is organized around the steps in the policy analysis process, and Cases which presents seven policy cases, ranging in degree of complexity, the text provides readers with the resources they need for effective policy planning and analysis. Quantitative and qualitative methods are systematically combined to address policy dilemmas and urban planning problems. Readers and analysts utilizing this text gain comprehensive skills and background needed to impact public policy.




Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning


Book Description

Updated in its 3rd edition, Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning presents quickly applied methods for analyzing and resolving planning and policy issues at state, regional, and urban levels. Divided into two parts, Methods which presents quick methods in nine chapters and is organized around the steps in the policy analysis process, and Cases which presents seven policy cases, ranging in degree of complexity, the text provides readers with the resources they need for effective policy planning and analysis. Quantitative and qualitative methods are systematically combined to address policy dilemmas and urban planning problems. Readers and analysts utilizing this text gain comprehensive skills and background needed to impact public policy.




Selected Methods of Planning Analysis


Book Description

This book provides an up-to-date introduction to the fundamental methods related to planning and human services delivery. These methods aid planners in answering crucial questions about human activities within a given community. This book brings the pillars of planning methods together in an introductory text targeted towards senior level undergraduate and graduate students. Planning professionals will also find this book an invaluable reference.




Integrating Analyses in Mixed Methods Research


Book Description

Integrating Analyses in Mixed Methods Research goes beyond mixed methods research design and data collection, providing a pragmatic discussion of the challenges of effectively integrating data to facilitate a more comprehensive and rigorous level of analysis. Showcasing a range of strategies for integrating different sources and forms of data as well as different approaches in analysis, it helps you plan, conduct, and disseminate complex analyses with confidence. Key techniques include: Building an integrative framework Analysing sequential, complementary and comparative data Identifying patterns and contrasts in linked data Categorizing, counting, and blending mixed data Managing dissonance and divergence Transforming analysis into warranted assertions With clear steps that can be tailored to any project, this book is perfect for students and researchers undertaking their own mixed methods research.




Community Analysis and Planning Techniques


Book Description

This book introduces and describes four techniques, which are at the core of professional practice and education: The first technique , curve-fitting/extrapolation, projects an area' s population, employment, or other characteristics by identifying and extending historical trends. The second technique, the cohort-component technique, projects an area' s population by dividing it into a uniform set of population subgroups or cohorts and applying the three components of population change-mortality, fertility, and migration-to each cohort. The third technique, the economic base technique, projects local economic change by dividing a local economy into basic and nonbasic sectors and by focusing analytic attention on the basic sector. The fourth technique, the shift-share technique, projects an area's economic activity by relating it to the activity of the state or nation in which it is located.







Qualitative Analysis for Planning & Policy


Book Description

This book explains how to use and adapt these techniques and how to integrate these methods with more traditional qualitative research. Chapters offer step-by-step guidance to setting up various kinds of qualitative research projects, collecting data, organizing data, and analyzing data. Case studies show how a mix of qualitative and quantitative research can help planners build consensus and tackle large, complicated projects.




Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning


Book Description

The book focuses on basic, quickly applied policy analysis methods that can be used to resolve policy problems. There are relevant, real life examples used throughout.




Financial Planning & Analysis and Performance Management


Book Description

Critical insights for savvy financial analysts Financial Planning & Analysis and Performance Management is the essential desk reference for CFOs, FP&A professionals, investment banking professionals, and equity research analysts. With thought-provoking discussion and refreshing perspective, this book provides insightful reference for critical areas that directly impact an organization’s effectiveness. From budgeting and forecasting, analysis, and performance management, to financial communication, metrics, and benchmarking, these insights delve into the cornerstones of business and value drivers. Dashboards, graphs, and other visual aids illustrate complex concepts and provide reference at a glance, while the author’s experience as a CFO, educator, and general manager leads to comprehensive and practical analytical techniques for real world application. Financial analysts are under constant pressure to perform at higher and higher levels within the realm of this consistently challenging function. Though areas ripe for improvement abound, true resources are scarce—until now. This book provides real-world guidance for analysts ready to: Assess performance of FP&A function and develop improvement program Improve planning and forecasting with new and provocative thinking Step up your game with leading edge analytical tools and practical solutions Plan, analyze and improve critical business and value drivers Build analytical capability and effective presentation of financial information Effectively evaluate capital investments in uncertain times The most effective analysts are those who are constantly striving for improvement, always seeking new solutions, and forever in pursuit of enlightening resources with real, useful information. Packed with examples, practical solutions, models, and novel approaches, Financial Planning & Analysis and Performance Management is an invaluable addition to the analyst’s professional library. Access to a website with many of the tools introduced are included with the purchase of the book.




The Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning


Book Description

How Product Owners and Business Analysts can maximize the value delivered to stakeholders by integrating BA competencies with agile methodologies "This book will become a staple reference that both product owners and business analysis practitioners should have by their side." -- From the Foreword by Alain Arseneault, former IIBA Acting President & CEO "[This book] is well organized in bite-sized chunks and structured for ready access to the essential concepts, terms, and practices that can help any agile team be more successful." -- Karl Wiegers The Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning provides practical guidance for eliminating unnecessary errors and delays in agile product development through effective planning, backlog refinement and acceptance criteria specification ---with hard-to-find advice on how and when to analyze the context for complex changes within an agile approach---including when to use Journey Maps, Value Stream Mapping, Personas, Story Maps, BPMN, Use Cases and other UML models. Renowned author and consultant Howard Podeswa teaches best practices drawn from agile and agile-adjacent frameworks, including ATDD, BDD, DevOps, CI/CD, Kanban, Scrum, SAFe, XP, Lean Thinking, Lean Startup, Circumstance-Based Market Segmentation, and theories of disruptive innovation. He offers a comprehensive agile roadmap for analyzing customer needs and planning product development, including discussion of legacy business analysis tools that still offer immense value to agile teams. Using a running case study, Podeswa walks through the full agile product lifecycle, from visioning through release and continuous value delivery. You learn how to carry out agile analysis and planning responsibilities more effectively, using tools such as Kano analysis, minimum viable products (MVPs), minimum marketable features (MMFs), story maps, product roadmaps, customer journey mapping, value stream mapping, spikes, and the definition of ready (DoR). Podeswa presents each technique in context: what you need to know and when to apply each tool. Read this book to Master principles, frameworks, concepts, and practices of agile analysis and planning in order to maximize value delivery throughout the product's lifecycle Explore planning and analysis for short-term, long-term, and scaled agile initiatives using MVPs and data-informed learning to test hypotheses and find high-value features Split features into MMFs and small stories that deliver significant value and enable quick wins Refine, estimate, and specify features, stories, and their acceptance criteria, following ATDD/BDD guidance Address the unique analysis and planning challenges of scaled agile organizations Implement 13 practices for optimizing enterprise agility Supported by 175+ tools, techniques, examples, diagrams, templates, checklists, and other job aids, this book is a complete toolkit for every practitioner. Whatever your role, you'll find indispensable guidance on agile planning and analysis responsibilities so you can help your organization respond more nimbly to a fast-changing environment. Register your book for convenient access to downloads, updates, and/or corrections as they become available. See inside book for details.