This framework is one of three developed by the Policy Project in collaboration with the New Zealand policy community. It enables agencies to test their policy capability. Policy agencies need to keep pace with current issues. Stewardship responsibilities mean that they also need to invest in capability to meet future challenges. They need good systems for assuring policy quality, and to have a capable workforce. They need to be adept at engaging with the with the decision makers they are advising, as well as people likely to be affected by their advice. They need to be customer-centric.

Together, the frameworks, and the tools that have been developed to sit under them, provide an infrastructure for improving policy quality, skills and capability.