1|Page
PUB3720 Assignment 2 2026 (Answer Guide)
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Analysis of Policy Implementation Challenges Using the 7C Protocols .................................. 2
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The 7C Protocols as a Framework for Policy Implementation ............................................ 2
3. Analysis of the Implementation Problems ................................................................................ 3
3.1 Content ......................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Context ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Commitment ............................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Capacity ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Clients and Coalitions .............................................................................................................. 5
3.6 Communication .......................................................................................................................... 6
3.7 Coordination ............................................................................................................................... 6
4. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
References ............................................................................................................................................. 8
, 2|Page
Analysis of Policy Implementation Challenges Using the 7C Protocols
1. Introduction
Policy implementation is the process through which government decisions, objectives
and strategies are translated into programmes, procedures and actions intended to
address public problems. It is a critical stage of the policy process because the adoption
of a policy does not automatically guarantee the achievement of its intended outcomes.
Molobela (2019:212) explains that implementation involves translating policy objectives
into action and that gaps may emerge between policy intentions and actual practice.
The scenario illustrates such an implementation gap: although the public programme
has been operational for two years, it faces poor coordination, insufficient resources,
limited stakeholder participation, unclear responsibilities, weak monitoring and
resistance from some officials. These challenges can be systematically examined
through the 7C protocols of policy implementation: content, context, commitment,
capacity, clients and coalitions, communication and coordination. The discussion
argues that applying the seven dimensions collectively can strengthen implementation
and ultimately improve public service delivery.
2. The 7C Protocols as a Framework for Policy Implementation
The 7C framework provides a systematic way of understanding the complexities that
influence policy implementation. The framework developed from the earlier 5C
approach, with communication and coordination incorporated as additional
dimensions to provide a broader understanding of implementation challenges
(Molobela, 2019:213). Mkhize and Thusi (2023:193–194) similarly identify the seven
dimensions as important variables for analysing policy implementation and describe
content in terms of policy strategy and goal setting, context in relation to the
environment in which implementation occurs, and capacity in terms of tangible and
intangible resources. The framework is therefore useful for the scenario because its
problems do not result from one isolated weakness. Rather, insufficient resources, weak
PUB3720 Assignment 2 2026 (Answer Guide)
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Analysis of Policy Implementation Challenges Using the 7C Protocols .................................. 2
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The 7C Protocols as a Framework for Policy Implementation ............................................ 2
3. Analysis of the Implementation Problems ................................................................................ 3
3.1 Content ......................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Context ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Commitment ............................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Capacity ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Clients and Coalitions .............................................................................................................. 5
3.6 Communication .......................................................................................................................... 6
3.7 Coordination ............................................................................................................................... 6
4. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
References ............................................................................................................................................. 8
, 2|Page
Analysis of Policy Implementation Challenges Using the 7C Protocols
1. Introduction
Policy implementation is the process through which government decisions, objectives
and strategies are translated into programmes, procedures and actions intended to
address public problems. It is a critical stage of the policy process because the adoption
of a policy does not automatically guarantee the achievement of its intended outcomes.
Molobela (2019:212) explains that implementation involves translating policy objectives
into action and that gaps may emerge between policy intentions and actual practice.
The scenario illustrates such an implementation gap: although the public programme
has been operational for two years, it faces poor coordination, insufficient resources,
limited stakeholder participation, unclear responsibilities, weak monitoring and
resistance from some officials. These challenges can be systematically examined
through the 7C protocols of policy implementation: content, context, commitment,
capacity, clients and coalitions, communication and coordination. The discussion
argues that applying the seven dimensions collectively can strengthen implementation
and ultimately improve public service delivery.
2. The 7C Protocols as a Framework for Policy Implementation
The 7C framework provides a systematic way of understanding the complexities that
influence policy implementation. The framework developed from the earlier 5C
approach, with communication and coordination incorporated as additional
dimensions to provide a broader understanding of implementation challenges
(Molobela, 2019:213). Mkhize and Thusi (2023:193–194) similarly identify the seven
dimensions as important variables for analysing policy implementation and describe
content in terms of policy strategy and goal setting, context in relation to the
environment in which implementation occurs, and capacity in terms of tangible and
intangible resources. The framework is therefore useful for the scenario because its
problems do not result from one isolated weakness. Rather, insufficient resources, weak
