This course provides a structured introduction to Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), with a focus on both how impact assessments are conducted and how effective IA systems are designed and governed in practice.

The course combines an overview of the analytical foundations of ex ante impact assessment with a broader discussion of Better Regulation and IA systems, drawing on recent developments in the European Union and comparative international experience.

By taking this course, you will learn:

• How to manage an ex ante Impact Assessment across the policy cycle, from early problem definition to decision-making, including stakeholder engagement;
• The core analytical steps of an IA, from problem analysis and policy option development to impact analysis and links with monitoring and evaluation;
• How to select and apply appropriate analytical methods and tools, including when qualitative or quantitative approaches are fit for purpose;
• How to apply proportionality in practice, balancing analytical ambition with policy relevance, time constraints, and available capacity;
• How quality, transparency, and governance are ensured in the EU IA system, and what lessons can be drawn for other administrative contexts;
• How to identify the key design choices, enablers, and constraints in IA systems, including governance arrangements, capacity building, and the role of external