Program Overview
The Data to Policy (D2P) training program is a comprehensive, mentorship-driven course that builds capacity for developing evidence-informed policy briefs. Over 3-4 months, participants learn to analyze health problems, evaluate policy options, conduct economic evaluations, and present compelling recommendations to decision-makers.
Duration
3-4 months total
- Unit 1: 2 weeks (or 8-10 virtual sessions)
- Unit 2: 1 week (or 8 virtual sessions)
- Mentorship: 8-10 weeks
- Unit 3: 1 week (or 4 virtual sessions)
Team Structure
3-5 participants per team
- Policy expertise
- Data/epidemiology skills
- Program knowledge
- Senior sponsor
Deliverables
Each team produces:
- Evidence-based policy brief
- PowerPoint presentation
- Economic evaluation
- Elevator pitch
Format Options
Flexible delivery:
- In-person intensive workshops
- Virtual sessions
- Hybrid format
- Adapted to local context
Three-Unit Curriculum
Unit 1: Problem & Policy Analysis
2 weeks | 40 hoursLearning Objectives:
- Frame policy topics in terms of health problems and root causes
- Conduct systematic root cause analysis using fishbone diagrams
- Identify evidence-based policy options
- Perform stakeholder analysis and mapping
- Develop problem statements with supporting data
Modules Covered (L00-L08):
Key Activities:
- Develop fishbone diagrams to identify root causes
- Create policy analysis tables comparing options
- Conduct stakeholder mapping exercises
- Present problem statements to peers and mentors
Unit 2: Economic Evaluation of Policy
1 week | 40 hoursLearning Objectives:
- Frame economic evaluations for policy decisions
- Build decision tree models to assess health impacts
- Develop comprehensive cost inventories
- Conduct cost-effectiveness analyses
- Perform sensitivity analyses to test assumptions
Modules Covered (L09-L13):
Key Activities:
- Sketch and build decision tree models in Excel
- Create cost inventories for each policy option
- Calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs)
- Test model robustness through sensitivity analysis
- Present economic findings to mentors
Unit 3: Policy Advocacy & Communications
1 week | 40 hoursLearning Objectives:
- Write clear, compelling policy briefs
- Create effective data visualizations
- Develop key messages and recommendations
- Design persuasive presentations
- Deliver elevator pitches to stakeholders
Modules Covered (L14-L20):
Key Activities:
- Draft each section of the policy brief
- Create charts, graphs, and infographics
- Develop and rehearse presentations
- Practice elevator pitches (60-90 seconds)
- Present to senior leadership
Intensive Mentorship Component
Mentorship is the cornerstone of the D2P program. Each project team works closely with an assigned mentor throughout the entire program.
Pre-Training (2-4 weeks)
- Topic selection and refinement
- Data source identification
- Literature review planning
- Team formation
During Units 1-3
- Daily group work sessions
- Technical guidance on methods
- Feedback on deliverables
- Troubleshooting challenges
Between Training Sessions (8-10 weeks)
- Weekly check-ins (minimum)
- Remote support via email, Zoom
- Review of drafts and analyses
- Stakeholder engagement guidance
Post-Training
- Presentation preparation
- Brief finalization support
- Policy forum coaching
- Implementation guidance
What Makes a Good D2P Mentor?
- Expertise in health policy, epidemiology, or health economics
- Experience with evidence-based policymaking
- Strong facilitation and coaching skills
- Commitment to weekly participant engagement
- Familiarity with local health system and policy context
- Completed D2P Train-the-Trainer workshop
Sample Training Agenda
This is an example 2-week in-person agenda for Units 1 & 2 (traditional format). Schedules can be adapted for virtual delivery or country-specific needs.
Week 1: Unit 1 - Problem & Policy Analysis
| Day | Morning (9 AM - 12 PM) | Afternoon (1 PM - 4 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday |
• Welcome & Orientation • L01: Policy & Policy Briefs • L02: Literature Search |
• Group Work: Literature Search • L03: Framing the Problem |
| Tuesday |
• L04: Root Cause Analysis • Group Work: Fishbone Diagrams |
• L05: Gender Analysis • Group Work: Problem Statement |
| Wednesday |
• L06: Epidemiologic Measures • Group Work: Data Analysis |
• Group Presentations: Problem Statements • Mentor Feedback Session |
| Thursday |
• L07: Identify Policy Options • Group Work: Policy Analysis Table |
• L08: Stakeholder Analysis • Group Work: Stakeholder Mapping |
| Friday |
• Group Work: Finalize Policy Options • Presentation Preparation |
• Group Presentations: Policy Options • Unit 1 Wrap-up |
Week 2: Unit 2 - Economic Evaluation
| Day | Morning (9 AM - 12 PM) | Afternoon (1 PM - 4 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday |
• L09: Framing Economic Evaluation • Group Work: Evaluation Planning |
• L10: Assessing Health Impact (Part 1) • Decision Tree Introduction |
| Tuesday |
• L10: Assessing Health Impact (Part 2) • Group Work: Sketch Decision Trees |
• L11: Cost Analysis • Group Work: Cost Inventories |
| Wednesday |
• L12: Economic Evaluation Methods • Excel Workshop: Building Models |
• Group Work: Decision Tree Models • Mentor Technical Support |
| Thursday |
• Group Work: Complete Models • Calculate ICERs |
• L13: Sensitivity Analysis • Group Work: Sensitivity Testing |
| Friday |
• Group Work: Finalize Analyses • Presentation Preparation |
• Group Presentations: Economic Findings • Unit 2 Wrap-up & Next Steps |
Note: 8-10 week mentorship period follows before Unit 3. See full agenda for Unit 3 schedule.
View Complete Agenda →Training Materials
Comprehensive materials support each module and activity:
📊 Presentations
- PowerPoint slides for all 20+ modules
- Facilitator notes and talking points
- Case study examples
- Virtual and in-person versions
🛠️ Tools & Templates
- Policy Brief Template (Word)
- PowerPoint Presentation Template
- Decision Tree Excel Templates
- Cost Inventory Worksheets
- Fishbone Diagram Templates
- Stakeholder Analysis Tables
📝 Activity Sheets
- Literature Search Activity
- Problem Framing Worksheet
- Root Cause Analysis Guide
- Policy Analysis Table
- Economic Evaluation Planning
- Sensitivity Analysis Worksheet
📚 Guides & References
- D2P Mentor Guide
- 10 Steps to Developing a Policy Brief
- Policy Brief Checklist
- Module Learning Objectives
- Economic Evaluation Glossary
Participant Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Mid- to senior-level government health staff
- Training in public health, policy, or related field
- Basic data analysis skills
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Fluency in language of instruction
- Written commitment to complete all training phases
Team Composition
- 3-5 members per team
- At least one policy expert
- At least one data analyst/epidemiologist
- Member knowledgeable about the health problem
- Senior sponsor who champions the topic
Time Commitment
- Full attendance at all training sessions
- Weekly meetings with mentors (8-10 weeks)
- Time for data collection and analysis
- Stakeholder interviews and engagement
- Brief writing and revision
- Total: 3-4 months
Policy Topic Criteria
- Reflects government priorities for action
- Includes both problem and potential solutions
- Has available data sources
- Can be completed in 8-10 weeks
- Has sponsor support
Training Format Options
D2P can be delivered in multiple formats to meet local needs:
In-Person Intensive
Duration: 4 weeks over 3-4 months
Structure:
- Week 1-2: Units 1 & 2 (in-person)
- 8-10 weeks: Remote mentorship
- Week 3: Unit 3 (in-person)
- Week 4: Policy Forum
Best For: Countries with centralized participants, budget for travel/accommodation
Virtual Sessions
Duration: 20-25 sessions over 4-5 months
Structure:
- 17 half-day sessions (Units 1-2)
- Self-paced online modules
- Weekly mentor check-ins
- 4-5 virtual sessions (Unit 3)
- Virtual Policy Forum
Best For: Geographically dispersed teams, pandemic conditions, limited travel budget
Hybrid Model
Duration: Flexible, 3-4 months
Structure:
- Unit 1: Virtual sessions
- Unit 2: In-person intensive (economics)
- Mentorship: Remote/on-site mix
- Unit 3: In-person with policy forum
Best For: Balancing cost-effectiveness with in-person benefits for complex technical content
Program Success Indicators
📊 Completion Rate
85%+ of participants complete all training phases
📝 Quality Outputs
90%+ of policy briefs meet quality standards (Policy Brief Checklist)
🎯 Policy Influence
40%+ of briefs influence policy decisions within 12 months
📈 Participant Satisfaction
95%+ rate D2P as "excellent" or "very good"
What Participants Say
"D2P transformed how I approach policy problems. I now have the tools to move from anecdotal evidence to rigorous economic analysis that decision-makers trust."
"The mentorship was invaluable. Our mentor helped us navigate data challenges and stakeholder politics—things you can't learn from a textbook."
"Our policy brief on routine HIV testing led to a national guideline change. D2P gave us the evidence and communication skills to make it happen."
Ready to Bring D2P to Your Country?
Contact us to learn how to implement the Data to Policy training program in your health system.