Learn how US cities are using the 10-step Policy & Systems Change Compass to transform their policy-making process to yield impactful policies that advance equity, community and wellbeing for all city residents. Developed by the National League of Cities and the Urban Institute, this issue-agnostic tool guides city officials and their partners through a series of essential steps on their path towards policy and systems change—from the identification and analysis of the root cause of the problem to developing and selecting the most promising and feasible policy proposals.
This brief provides a walkthrough of these essential steps, alongside real-world examples and peer insights.
Rather than just trying to address the symptoms over and over again, and wondering why we’re not making progress, this gave us the opportunity to slow down and take a very focused approach. To take an idea and really be able to think about it and take the time with it that’s necessary. It was an incredible opportunity.
-Bucoda Warren, Chief Policy Analyst, Tacoma, Washington
© 2025 National League of Cities and the Urban Institute. All rights reserved. The Policy and Systems Change Compass may be used by governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for non-commercial, internal purposes only and must include attribution. Commercial use or reproduction requires prior written permission. Attribution example: “Co-developed by the National League of Cities and the Urban Institute. © 2025. Used with permission.” For licensing requests, contact CoO@nlc.org.
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