The Policy Governance Fieldbook: Practical Lessons Lessons, Tips & Tools from the Experience of Real–World Boards

The Policy Governance Fieldbook

Boards all around the world have adopted John Carver's revolutionary Policy Governance principles to improve their leadership and performance. This fieldbook is the latest addition to the growing literature on the landmark model. Endorsed with a foreword by John Carver, this practical, unflinching resource closely examines eleven diverse organizations that have implemented Policy Governance in the United States and Canada. The authors analyze what works--and what doesn't--in real-world practice. The Policy Governance Fieldbook is for organizations considering, beginning to use, or already using Carver's principles. Readers will discover practical advice based on the real-life experiences of organizations that have tried and tested Policy Governance for themselves.

Each chapter is built around a user-friendly, hands-on framework--first introducing a specific Policy Governance activity or challenge, exploring the experiences of boards that met this challenge, and then drawing key lessons from those experiences. Filled with tips and tools for implementation of key principles, the book is a practical exploration of real organizations facing real challenges. The Policy Governance Fieldbook is an ideal guide for boards that are ready to lead their organizations to success.

"The Policy Governance Fieldbook is not a theoretical treatise, but a practical study. Its authors are concerned with real people in real organizations with real challenges. . . . It is the first book to start down what is surely to be a very long road. For that boldness, I am in its authors' debt. But more importantly, boards everywhere and those who rely on the integrity of governance--that means all of us--are in their debt as well."

--from the Foreword by John Carver

"A valuable resource for shedding light on the problems that can arise when Policy Governance is implemented and how they might be handled within the framework of the model."

--Vic Murray, adjunct professor, School of Public Administration, University of Victoria

"Local elected officials and professional staff will find Carver's model provocative and intriguing. This practical guide is one of the best I have encountered. The useful tips at the end of each chapter are worth the price of the book."

--John Nalbandian, professor of public administration, University of Kansas