This course provides a structured introduction to Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), with a focus on both how impact assessments are conducted and how effective IA systems are designed and governed in practice.

The course combines an overview of the analytical foundations of ex ante impact assessment with a broader discussion of Better Regulation and IA systems, drawing on recent developments in the European Union and comparative international experience.

Participants will first be introduced to the principles, standards and key analytical steps of Impact Assessment, including problem definition, objective setting, policy option development and impact analysis. The course presents the main analytical methods used in IAs, such as cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis and multi-criteria analysis, and discusses how to apply them proportionately and realistically in different policy contexts.

Building on this foundation, the course then shifts from individual assessments to the functioning of IA systems as a whole. It examines recent developments in the EU Better Regulation agenda, including sustainability and SDG integration, competitiveness and SME considerations, proportionality, simplification and administrative burden reduction. Using the EU as a reference point, the course explores what makes IA systems effective in practice, including their embedding in the policy cycle, quality control arrangements, institutional capacity, incentives, monitoring and learning.

Special attention is given to governance choices and the role of external expertise, including how governments and consultants can work together effectively without undermining policy ownership or long-term capacity.

By taking this course, you will learn:

• How to manage an ex ante Impact Assessment across the policy cycle, from early problem definition to decision-making, including stakeholder engagement;
• The core analytical steps of an IA, from problem analysis and policy option development to impact analysis and links with monitoring and evaluation;
• How to select and apply appropriate analytical methods and tools, including when qualitative or quantitative approaches are fit for purpose;
• How to apply proportionality in practice, balancing analytical ambition with policy relevance, time constraints, and available capacity;
• How quality, transparency, and governance are ensured in the EU IA system, and what lessons can be drawn for other administrative contexts;
• How to identify the key design choices, enablers, and constraints in IA systems, including governance arrangements, capacity building, and the role of external expertise.

The course combines presentations, discussion and practical exercises, and is designed for public officials involved in policy design or regulatory reform, as well as consultants advising governments on impact assessment and Better Regulation.