This paper argues that the formulation of policy, at whatever level, to whatever scale
or scope, is any different to the myriad of processes involved in strategic planning
within and between organisations, and the attendant decision making processes that
abound in such an environment (Hage, 1980; Hickson, 1987; Thompson, 1967;
Weick, 1976). Those forces that impact upon organisations are precisely the same
forces that impact upon policy making groups who are themselves ‘organisations’ (or
institutions), whether actual or representative. This provides a startign point for
considering a synthesis between various models or paradigms. The argument
continues, that program theory and the program logic model can incorporate and
synthesise theories from elsewhere that, in turn, usefully inform and develop
programme theory and program logic. A ‘hierarchical’ model is presented to explore
the linkages between the components and ‘simple’ processes of theory, programme
theory, logic modelling, organisational functioning, policy, and the consequent
impact. It is hoped that this model can be used as a framework to: (a) determine
which components are essential to give the policy external validity, credibility,
implementability, and so on; and (b) provide a common point of reference for policy
makers, stakeholders, and evaluators
