Singapore Better decisions from ground feedback
Many citizens are unhappy with many policies made by the SG ministers which they consider to be bad for the people.

In their view, the ministers can make better policies if they listen to the "ground feedback".

This is a motherhood statement. It sounds nice, but in reality, it is not so easy to listen to the ground feedback.

Each person gives a feedback based on their personal perspective. If they are badly affected, their feedback will be negative. Conversely, if they benefit from a policy, their feedback will be positive. 

The policy decision must be made based on an evaluation of the positive and negative impacts of the decision. 

How can better decisions be made? I see the following components:

1. Look at the statistical data 
2. Carry out surveys
3. Listen to the ground feedback
4. Explain the goals of the policy decision.

If the policy decision includes the above components, the majority of the people will understand and accept the rationale of the decision.

There are many policy decisions that are made in a opaque manner, for reasons that have to be kept secret. It resulted in suspicion by the people.  

There are also badly conceived decisions that produced bad outcome. The decision makers tried to hide the negative impacts and are reluctant to address the issue.

I like to suggest the following approach towards better policy decisions:

The policy decision should be reviewed by an independent body. This body should study the data, consider the ground feedback and evaluate them against the goals and decide on reviewing the policy.

It is difficult to make changes to bad policies if they are evaluated by the same people who were responsible to make the policies in the first place. These people will tend to hide the failures.

I hope that this approach can lead to better decisions.

Tan Kin Lian


 

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