The Policy and Governance Observatory as a Facilitator of Smart and Evidence-based Governance

Abstract
The complex and dynamic environment and the multiplicity of actors have made the nature of decision-making and policy-making in political systems complex and challenging. In order to face the challenges in this space and make decisions based on the facts, it is necessary to monitor the public issues accurately and comprehensively and while benefiting from the ideas and opinions of the stakeholders in formulating and presenting policy solutions. In recent decades, this important issue has received the attention of many countries in the form of setting up structures called "policy observatory" or "governance observatory". Considering the effectiveness of the design of such an institution in the country, this research intends to provide a scientific document to help to design and develop these centers. To do this, the comparative study method used for investigating the governance observatories around the world. Out of more than 100 observatories, 32 observatories were selected by purposive sampling method and analyzed using content analysis method. The findings of the research regarding what and how observatories of policy and governance were presented in the form of conceptual categories of thematic scope, mission, goals and measures, organizational structure and processes, products and outputs.
Introduction
The complexity of the political environment has made effective policy making a challenge for governments. To face this challenge, it will be useful to design governance mints in order to benefit from the maximum available data and information. In this regard, in order to investigate policy and governance observatories, this research has investigated them in the form of vision, mission, goals, actions, organizational structure and processes, products and outputs.
 
Case study
This study examines the structure of policy and governance observatories through a survey of 32 observatories around the world.
Materials and Methods
In this research, the purposive sampling and content analysis method has been used. In this regard, 32 observatories have been selected from more than 100 observatories.
Discussion and Results
The results of the conducted investigations indicate that the policy and governance observatories monitor and analyze data and information by taking advantage of extensive participation and cooperation with knowledge and information institutions. The result of these actions leads to the publication of databases and policy and policy research reports, which, in addition to providing comprehensive insight to government officials and improving the quality of their future decisions, also convey extensive information to citizens that it has a significant effect in informing the society about the functioning of the system and promoting social capital. Recently, the analysis of future trends and the examination of the interconnectedness of issues have also been placed on the agenda of policy and governance observatories, which will greatly help in designing strategic plans for countries.
Conclusion
A holistic and comprehensive view of issues and the use of evidence for decision-making has become an integral part of political systems around the world. This importance has caused the design of institutions in charge of this issue to be placed on the agenda of many governments. Such an institution is introduced in the literature under the title of Policy and Governance Observatory. With the benefit of available data, information and knowledge, these centers accurately identify the beneficiaries and dimensions of the problem and produce evidence that facilitates decision-making for the authorities. In order to address this issue, the present article has done a comprehensive review of the most well-known observatories active in the field of policy making and public and topical governance around the world.