Policymaking integration, policy coherence, and whole-of-government approaches: a qualitative systematic review of advice for policymakers

Five themes of practical advice connect aspiration to limited progress. Explain what policymaking integration means, since a rhetorical commitment means nothing. Identify your rationale, model, and theory of change. Engage with trade-offs between top-down and bottom-up conceptions of policy coherence. Explain why the pursuit of integration has advantages over a reasonable alternative, such as specialisation. Learn about facilitators from studies of success and barriers from studies of failure. These lessons help to clarify your aims, connect them to routine government business, and ensure capacity to deliver. If this advice seems obvious, we should reflect on its lack of traction when governments lack the willingness and ability to follow it.