What is usually the first step in the policy-making process?

Identifying issues or problems is typically the first step in the policy-making process because it involves recognizing and defining the areas that require attention or intervention. This foundational stage sets the context for all subsequent actions in the policy-making cycle. By clearly understanding the issues at hand, policymakers can gather relevant data, engage stakeholders, and propose viable solutions.

Recognizing the problems is essential; without it, there can be no meaningful discussion of potential policies or solutions. This analytical approach guides decision-makers in prioritizing which issues need to be addressed based on urgency, impact, and feasibility.

The other stages, such as policy evaluation, adoption, and implementation, occur after this initial identification phase. They rely on the groundwork laid during the identification of issues, which ensures that the final policies are relevant and targeted toward the right problems.