The Start Right Guide is a framework designed to help policy projects begin effectively, ensuring quality and success. It emphasizes early-stage planning and structured approaches to policy development. 

The guide outlines four key steps.

1. Commissioning Conversations: this phase captures essential details about the policy request, ensuring clarity on objectives, stakeholders, and expected outcomes.
2. Exploration: policymakers explore different approaches, validate concerns, and refine strategies based on feedback. This step includes assessing drivers for action, selecting appropriate methods, and planning for implementation.
3. Policy Project Green Light: the final phase involves securing approval from decision-makers, ensuring alignment with governance structures, and preparing for execution.
4. Check in as you iterate: expect things to change as new information is discovered. Match governance and communication to the level of complexity and certainty.

The guide also includes prompts for commissioning conversations and a Green Light Framework, which provide structured tools to enhance policy planning. By following this approach, policymakers can improve decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and project outcomes.