Introduction

Policy analysis refers to the generation of knowledge, organised or sponsoredby the government, to be used in policy-making (Wollman, 1989; Leeuw, 1991;MacRae, 1991; Adams, 2004). In this chapter, policy analysis refers to theresearch that executive governments produce or access to understand,forecast, and anticipate public opinion, users’ needs, potentialactions on the part of businesses, and policy impacts. Policy analysis is,therefore, an essential prerequisite for evidence-based policy-making(Howlett, 2009: 161).

The use of policy analysis is narrower than policy advice (Tiernan, 2011).Whereas analytical capacity focuses on medium-to long-term agenda-setting(the focus of this chapter), policy advice refers to providing analysis andinformation for the short-to long-term at all policy process stages. Policyadvice entails analytical skills, the coordination of opinion from severalgovernmental and nongovernmental sources, and accountability between theadviser and the decisionmaker (Lindquist, 2010).

The knowledge of how policy analysis is performed in Spain is limited. Thereare no data regarding the number of policy analysts in government. Thescholarly work on the process to convert research into decisions is scarce.The academic community knows little about how public officials consumepolicy analysis and what sources they use. A review of secondary sources andofficial websites shows that the engagement with independent external policyanalysis is restricted, and public agencies produce research and analysisbut do not systematically feed the decision-making process. Experts andacademics are consulted on policy initiatives. Still, this consultation isseldom accompanied by a systematic review of the evidence with theproduction of evidence-based policy papers that supplement expert advice.For instance, in an area where abundant data is available, traininfrastructure, public authorities did not use evidence to plan thefast-speed railway network, according to the Autoridad Independiente deResponsabilidad Fiscal (Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility)(AIReF, 2020). Political decisions were more relevant than data analysis.Although some units or persons carry out policy analysis (and evaluation) indifferent government parts, their networking activity is informal and notinstitutionalised. Finally, the civil service authority has not implementeda competency framework focusing on policy analysis like the United Kingdomor Australia.