This online course will enhance your ability to design, manage and communicate the results of ex ante IAs conducted by your organisation. It will answer the following questions:

• How can an impact assessment (IA) system be developed
• How can an IA system be optimised?
• How can you assess the effectiveness and efficiency of policy proposals?
• How can you ensure high-quality ex ante impact assessments?
• How can you use an impact assessment as a supporting tool for decision-making?

Participants will understand the concept of a high-quality ex ante IAs. They will gain a good understanding of the needs and uses of ex ante impact assessments, as well as build their knowledge and skills in the main methods used in IAs ( cost–benefit analysis). Insight is provided into good practices through the lessons learned from implementation of the European Commission Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox as well as other actors (OECD, individual countries, etc). Finally, participants will be able to gain an understanding how IAs can influence the next steps in the policy cycle. The concepts are discussed through theory, examples and practical exercises, to ensure an interactive session.

What will you learn

• How to manage an ex ante Impact Assessment of a legal act from concept till submission, and how to consult and engage with stakeholders for the purpose of the IA;
• The analytical steps of an IA (defining the problem, setting objectives, developing policy options, measuring impacts, selecting a preferred policy option, monitoring and evaluation);
• The state-of-the-art methodologies and tools to assess the impacts;
• How to adjust your expectations and choose the right shortcuts when selecting the best possible methodological approach ( qualitative vs quantitative);
• How the European Commission system ensures transparency and quality of the IA work (stakeholder consultation, Regulatory Scrutiny Board);
• Why IA has become a key tool for the development of EU policy and how it is applied in practice
• The enablers and barriers for setting up an IA system: how an effective IA system can be developed in national administrations; best practices to learn from; pitfalls to

Course methodology/highlights

The two-half-day course will be led by experts who have decades of research and practical experience in IA in the EU context and beyond.

The course delivery will combine interactive presentations showcasing practical examples and group exercises.

Other courses in this series are: Introduction to the Better Regulation Agenda | Regulatory ex post Evaluations | Stakeholder Consultation in the Context of Better Regulation