by PublicABCP
Translated and reviewed by Matheus Lucas Hebling
Casos de Políticas Públicas e Gestão: Aprendendo com a Prática (Case Studies in Public Policy and Management: Learning from Practice), edited by Fernanda Melo Pessôa, a Public Management Analyst, and Luciana Leite Lima, Professor of Public Policy at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), is a work that seeks to bridge theory and practice in the field of public policy. Drawing on real-world case studies, the book presents situations faced by graduates of UFRGS’s Public Policy program, proposing an analysis that connects academic concepts with the practices of Brazil’s public sector.
The book is organized into chapters that narrate practical experiences in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies, covering a wide range of themes and contexts. Each case study is authored by program alumni, who share the professional challenges they encountered and the strategies they adopted to overcome them. These narratives offer insights into governance, planning, and policy evaluation, addressing both obstacles and opportunities in public administration.
By employing a case study methodology, the volume integrates theory with practice, combining academic learning with real-life scenarios. This approach fosters practical skills such as critical analysis and problem-solving, while also providing discussion questions and key concepts that deepen readers’ understanding of the processes examined. Its structure makes the book particularly useful in educational settings, encouraging reflection on how theoretical knowledge can be applied in the day-to-day practice of public management.
The cases range from policy formulation to the implementation of innovative practices across different administrative contexts. Examples include the use of performance indicators to evaluate municipal programs, the creation of shared governance systems, and strategies to address recurring challenges such as staff turnover in public agencies.
Recurring themes such as decentralization, resource management, and intersectoral coordination highlight the complexity of public administration and the need to adapt traditional tools to local realities.
Beyond its educational application, the book contributes to academic debate by emphasizing the importance of connecting everyday challenges to theoretical concepts. The case studies underscore persistent gaps in public management, such as difficulties in aligning theory with practice and the need for stronger integration across administrative levels. By presenting concrete examples—such as the creation of local governance systems and budget planning tools—the work provides valuable resources for rethinking processes and proposing solutions that respond directly to the demands of the public sector.
With its practical and evidence-based approach, Casos de Políticas Públicas e Gestão: Aprendendo com a Prática also addresses a notable gap in public policy teaching materials: the lack of resources that translate theoretical concepts into real-world applications. The book positions itself as an important tool for developing practical competencies in public management.
Author Profiles
Luciana Leite Lima is Professor of Public Policy at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). She holds a PhD in Social Sciences (Unicamp), an MA in Sociology (UFRGS), and a BA in Administration (Unisinos). She is a member of the Brazilian Society of Sociology, the Brazilian Political Science Association, and the Brazilian Network for Monitoring and Evaluation.
Fernanda Melo Pessôa is a Public Management Analyst. She graduated in Public Policy from UFRGS in 2017, holds a specialization in Public Administration in the 21st Century (UFRGS), and a postgraduate degree in Project Management PMI-PMBOK (UNIVALI).
Publication Information
Title: Casos de Políticas Públicas e Gestão: Aprendendo com a Prática (Case Studies in Public Policy and Management: Learning from Practice)
Editors: Fernanda Melo Pessôa and Luciana Leite Lima
Publisher: Editora Jacarta
Year: 2024
ISBN: 978-65-985326-0-4
Available at: LUME – UFRGS Digital Repository
