The Policy & Systems Change Compass is a 10-step framework developed by NLC and the Urban Institute to help local leaders move from identifying community challenges to designing actionable policy solutions.
This tool guides city officials and their partners through essential stages of the policymaking process —from identifying root causes and engaging stakeholders to developing and advancing promising and feasible policy proposals.
Designed to support equitable and community-centered change, the Compass helps cities strengthen their approach to policy development in ways that improve community wellbeing for long-term impact.
This brief (linked above) 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
Bring the Policy Compass Home
Ready to implement the Compass in your community? Connect with NLC’s experts for on-demand technical assistance on the issues that matter most to your residents.
© 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 HealthandWellbeing@NLC.org.
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The Policy Compass in Dubuque, Iowa: Building Equity through Smarter, Shared Data
The Policy Compass in Tacoma, WA: Unlocking Workforce Access by Addressing Child Care
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