Actions taken to formalize an approach to studying and assessing projects,
policies, and programs and determining their effectiveness.

Policy analysis is "determining which of various alternative policies will most achieve a given 
set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals" [1]. However, policy 
analysis can be divided into two major fields. Analysis of policy is analytical and descriptive—
i.e., it attempts to explain policies and their development. Analysis for policy is prescriptive—
i.e., it is involved with formulating policies and proposals (e.g., to improve social welfare)[2]. 
The area of interest and the purpose of analysis determines what type of analysis is 
conducted. A combination of policy analysis together with program evaluation would be 
defined as Policy studies.[3]  Policy Analysis is frequently deployed in the public sector, but is 
equally applicable to other kinds of organizations. Policy analysis has its roots in systems 
analysis as instituted by United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara during the 
Vietnam War.[4]