What relevance do Impact Analysis studies have for guidance practitioners?
The immediate response of the group was that although relevant and effective Impact Analysis could be of fundamental relevance for guidance practitioners, in reality they were probably largely perceived as at best irrelevant and at worst actually threatening. It was felt that Impact Analysis was sometimes linked to a sense of being judged. This observation led to discussion around the theme of peer review. Practitioners may welcome input from others who understand the issues they face as a device for improving practice, yet the experience of being watched and evaluated by a manager perceived to be operating from a different set of objectives might be viewed very differently. How Impact Analysis studies are viewed, may link to who is doing the studying, against what criteria and the audience to which any Impact Analysis study is to be addressed. Impact Analysis is not unproblematic, yet the group were unanimous in agreeing that these obstacles need to be overcome. Whilst recognising the
