In order for a policy to be enacted, is it necessary for all steps in the policy-making cycle to be completed?

In the policy-making cycle, while it is beneficial for all steps to be thoroughly addressed, it is not strictly necessary for every step to be completed for a policy to be enacted. The policy-making process typically involves several phases: agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.

However, the reality of policy making often involves complex political dynamics, time constraints, and the pressing nature of certain issues that can lead to a policy being enacted without a full completion of every step. For instance, a policy might be adopted based on immediate needs, even if it hasn't gone through a comprehensive evaluation process. Furthermore, stakeholders may push for action on specific policies without a full exploration of all possible alternatives, resulting in key steps being bypassed in favor of expediency.

Thus, while a complete policy-making cycle ideally leads to well-formed policies, the actual process can be more flexible, allowing for enactment without strict adherence to every step. This understanding reflects the practical realities of governance and the influence of situational factors on policy decisions.