Prototyping in policy-making, practices and theories on experimentation

Policy experimentation is playing an increasing role in understanding what works and how it works. These experiments are used to learn or test policies, programmes and services before a large scale implementation. During this workshop participants shared, studied and discussed cases of experimentation in policy, thus gained a broader overview of methods, purposes, evaluations, tools and contexts.

The presenter started by introducing the context using the theoretical policy cycle and indicating according to her assumption where design prototyping could contribute to policy formulation and policy implementation. Then also some definitions of prototype, prototyping, pilot and evidence based policy making.

Later the workshop was described and the case of Piazze Aperte was presented, it was also used to show how the positioning maps were going to be used.

The activity was developed in teams and each had 3 cases described and empty formats to write ones according to the participants experience in experimentation. After the cases were discussed they were positioned in 3 maps about the type of prototype, the actors and the evaluation. Some of the cases and their characteristics were discussed with the whole group.

The activity generated questions and perspectives on the meaning of policy, where is the transition between prototyping and piloting and what is small or large scale experimentation.