Table 1 Overview of research theme areas

Priority setting decisions in a broader context

How can formal priority setting processes best align with and complement other decision making processes?

What consequential and reactive impacts result in the implementation of priority setting approaches?

Can we improve the measurement of costs and benefits to account for the full range of organizational impacts?

Can we assess the relative merits of implementing formal priority setting as a small scale pilot or as an organization wide mandate?

Priority setting implementation

Report on typical criteria used in formal priority setting studies and guidance about how to draft locally relevant measures for assessing spending options

Understand the different ways in which decision-makers understand and apply the concept of disinvestment

Explore the rhetorical and tactical choices made in 'bundling' spending options and how these affect the results of formal priority setting

Identify the personal, social and organizational dimensions of how decision-makers manage conflicting role loyalties in priority setting

Improve the quality and accessibility of relevant data

Identify the skills and capacities needed for effectively using formal priority setting methods, as well as the related education and training requirements

Provide guidance about why, when and how to engage the public in priority setting and resource allocation decisions