Client comments on Policy Workshops
During 2006-2007, Philip Eliason and Associates delivered over 20 workshops to groups of 20-25 attendees from the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a full horizontal section of the Department's staff as part of an agency-wide training program for executive level staff.
Here are some comments by Commonwealth Government officials about Philip Eliason's workshops on policy, program management and stakeholder relations:
My first taste of policy development - gained an overall appreciation and experience of the tools and techniques used to scope and implement stakeholder endorsed policy…testing exercise but very enjoyable.
Philip's first hand knowledge and excellent, engaging style.
Facilitator was engaging. Knew department well and made training more meaningful.
Facilitator's knowledge and use of examples made learning a lot easier.
Good informative instructor.
I enjoyed this module - the challenge was overcoming frustration! Consideration of policy context across all realms provided food for thought - gave us opportunity to consider implications rather than specific issues.
Excellent which helped to demystify policy development.
Better understanding of the policy cycle, pragmatism involved and structure. Greater understanding of the difficulties in achieving good policies.
Good perspective of how industry sees us and what we need to know to be able to engage effectively with them.
Some excellent insight and first hand information on what drives industry and how government can interact effectively.
The whole workshop was an insight for me. It was great to learn about the processes and tools for policy development.
Better understanding of the range of environmental factors that impact on policy development - ways to identify these and assess their impact on policy development.
Knowledge of what influences policy, insights into our Department and approach to policy and understanding of policy development process and what makes good policy.
Fundamentals about policy and the policy process (e.g policy life cycle). Better understanding and appreciation for the work my colleagues in other Divisions undertake.
The variety of tools that can be used to implement policy. I gained a greater awareness and understanding of the policy cycle and the importance of certain steps.
Insight into association/stakeholders views of Government. Benefit of open dialogue and industry stakeholders.
How to take a big idea and flesh it out.
Better understanding of the need for thoroughness in the policy process.
