ABSTRACT
As society becomes more dependent on technological know-how and scientific skills, the policy process of the federal government needs the input of those knowledgeable in these areas. Some of the more academic policy analysts seem to believe that conducting policy analyses for clients in a fashion that is responsive to their questions or interests, rather than what the analyst thinks the client ought to be concerned with, is somehow improper or unprofessional. The policy analysis business is analogous to the fire department business—long periods of inactivity punctuated by short bursts of pandemonium. Preparation for future policy analyses can take many forms across a broad spectrum of sophistication. On a technical basis, it ranges from simple awareness, through detailed data collection, to projection of future situations with computer models. A common policy decision in the federal government involves the executive branch recommending legislative amendments or revising federal regulations to solve problems perceived by the new administration.
