In addition to your own desk research the steps are as follows:

1. Organize National Consultations(at one or several locations depending on the size of the country) with the stake holders.

2. Based on your research and inputs from National Consultations prepare a zero order policy paper .

3. Put the zero order policy on the internet for public inputs.In addition send it to the major stakeholders with personal request for their inputs.

4.Based on all the inputs prepare a draft Policy.Again put it on internet for comments.

5.Organize a round table of select stakeholders giving all the inputs received  to finalize the draft Policy

Follow through with this general principle. It applies regardless of the area of the policy thrust.

1. Define targets- Elements of time frame normally involved

2. Define overall strategy on how to reach the targets

3. Then design concrete policy measures to realize the strategies

4. Enforce and monitor policy measures

5. Ensure compliance and carry out evaluation to monitor performance against progress

Note that your policy goals or targets must be achievable and measurable

For your solid waste management, you may set a target that  by 2025, all combustible wastes generated in your city will be turned into briquettes for use as fuel for furnace say i.e waste-to-wealth. If that will be so, then how would you realize it i.e the strategy to realize the target. So,  the initial thing to do is to think through, get facts about current situation, get allies, check legal gaps, etc, then draft, check through and finalize, put into law.

Wish you the best

Read the following articles. A  sure it will be of help to you. www.unep.org/.../Waste%20Management/UNEP%20NWMS%20English..., www.unep.org › ... › Information Platform and www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/downloads/overview.pdf

Steps in Policy Development

Here is a suggested process for policy development. Research and consultation are key step in the process. A sound policy is built upon good consultation with those who will be affected by the policy.

1 Identify and define the problem or issue that necessitates the development of a policy

The organization also needs to know and understand the purpose of policies and to recognize that the issue or problem can be effectively dealt with by the creation or modification of a policy.

2 Appoint a person or person(s) to co-ordinate the policy development process

The policy development process may take place over several months. There needs to be someone or perhaps a committee who is "driving" the process.

3 Establish the policy development process

The process requires research, consultation and policy writing tasks. The co-ordinator should develop a plan of what tasks need to be done, by whom and when.

4 Conduct research

• Read policy documents created by other organizations on the same topic

• Research legislation on the Internet

• Conduct a meeting with staff and other people with experience

• Survey participants or a particular group of participants such as coaches

• Read minutes of management committee meetings (if allowed)

• Read other documents such as annual reports or event reports

• Read industry magazines and journals

• Seek legal advice

5 Prepare a discussion paper

The purpose of the discussion paper is to explain the nature of the problem or issue, to summarize information yielded by research and to suggest a number of policy options. The discussion paper will be an important tool in the process of consultation.

6 Consultation - Stage 1

Circulating the discussion paper to all stakeholders (interested parties) is a first step in the consultation process. It may also be necessary to telephone stakeholders and send notices to remind stakeholders to read the discussion paper. It is then important to gain as much feedback from stakeholders as possible. This may be effected through workshops, open meetings, your web site and by meetings with individuals. Several months may be required to ensure that this stage of consultation is thorough.

7 Prepare a draft policy

When there has been sufficient time for consultation processes to be completed the next step is to prepare a draft policy.

8 Consultation - Stage 2

When the draft policy is completed it should be circulated to key stakeholders, published in the organization’s newsletter and web site, discussed in further meetings and forums. At this stage it is necessary to seek help from stakeholders to fine tune the wording, clarify meaning and make adjustments to the policy before it is finalized.

9 Adoption

When the co-ordinator of the policy development process is reasonably satisfied that all issues and concerns about the policy have been aired and dealt with, it is time to finalize the policy. The final policy document needs to be formally adopted by the management of the organization (management committee) with an appropriate record entered in to the minutes.

10 Communication

Following formal adoption of the policy it should be communicated far and wide throughout the organization and stakeholders. Training sessions may need to be conducted to ensure that organization personnel are fully informed and able to implement the policy. If the policy is not well communicated it may fail.

11 Review and evaluate

The implementation of the policy should be monitored. The policy may still require further adjustments and furthermore the reasons for the policies existence may change. A general practice is to set a date for the policy to be reviewed, this might be one a year or once in every three years. It just depends on the nature of the policy.

Source: http://www.leoisaac.com/policy/top132.htm

Hello Mr Ndwiga. I like your description of the policy making process. How would you recommend that the content of your website is cited. I am clear on the author (you), but not clear on the date this content was published. Nice work. Thank you. John

there are many key steps in developing the policy- mainstreaming policy development process- evidence based narratives recommended. research consultation and advocacy with key stakeholders are the source of political views to draft.