Too often, major government programmes are implemented before we know enough about the problem we’re trying to solve. The biggest risk is that ideas which work on paper don’t survive contact with reality, and by the time we understand what went wrong it’s too late.

Whatever happens in the 2026 election, Cymru will have a government drawn from a very different Senedd. But how can that government increase its chances of successfully delivering its agenda? The answer lies in changing the toolbox, not just the mechanics.

Nesta’s ‘Test and Learn Playbook’ outlines ways policymakers can increase their chances of turning bold ideas into successful delivery.

All policies are built on assumptions: about what people are trying to achieve when they knock on the government’s door, or how they’ll behave if we offer something new. Test and Learn approaches help to quickly gather evidence to refine our most critical assumptions, starting from the ground up. This can ensure policies are shaped by real-world practise, not just theory. Add this event to your calendar.

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