Why lobbyists need to use maps

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The Map is not the Territory

Parrish writes “ All are models or maps that simplify some complex territory in order to guide you through it.  Just because maps and models are flawed is not an excuse to ignore them. Maps are useful to the extent they are explanatory and predictive” (Great Mental Models, page 40).

When you work to influence public policy or lawmaking,  you are treading along a well-worn path. Whether you use them or not, there are detailed maps, that will make your journey more successful. 

Basic Maps

The basic maps are:

The map is not reality 

Often, it is useful to use a map of the map.  I find process charts and checklists make the journey easier.

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The map is not the territory. The model is not reality.  The London Underground Map is useful for passengers. It’s not the same map used by the drivers.

You need to check the map against reality.  Events can intervene. Sometimes you’ll be work to find a way to by-pass established pathways, and then you may work make sure the usual process is followed.

How Many Maps

As I spend most of my time working on the decisions of Agencies,  I personally use a series of well-worn maps. Operationally,  this is around  50 maps, which I have chunked down into process charts and case studies.

I update the maps in light of developments. The decisions and votes in the Council, EP,  Commission, and regulatory agencies, mean the maps need to be re-looked at regularly, and updated in light of events.. 

Using the maps takes out the guesswork from the journey. They are not perfect representations of your journey, but using them makes your journey a lot easier. Especially if you have never taken that journey before.

Chunking down every step in the journey of a law

Step

  1. European Council’s Road Map European  – Council
  2. Commission’s Political Priorities –  Commission
  3. Setting the Commission’s Work Programme  – Commission
  4. Mid-August preparation – Commission
  5. College retreat end August – Commission
  6. State of the Union 9 September – Commission
  7. Work Programme late October  – Commission 
  8. Joint Declaration –  COM/EP/Council
  9. Can new ideas come into W-P – Commission
  10. Political Validation timetable –  Commission
  11. Political  Valaditiation of  Major Initiatives –  Commission
  12. Political Validation of non-major initiatives – Commission
  13. Tracking new initiatives  – Commission
  14. Road Maps – what & when  – Commission
  15. Inception IA – what when  – Commission
  16. Interservice Group –  Commission
  17. Stakeholder Public Consultation  – Commission
  18. Review of Stakeholder Consultation –  Commission
  19. Draft Impact Assessment  – Commission
  20. Key questions of the Impact Assessment –  Commission
  21. Role of RSB – Commission
  22. Why you can’t lobby the RSB – Commission 
  23. Revision of IA – Commission
  24. Draft proposal – Commission
  25. Validation to launch Inter-Service Consultation – Commission
  26. Who decides on ISC – Services – Commission
  27. Who decides on ISC – Political – Commission 
  28. How long is ISC – Commission
  29. What if no agreement at ISC – Commission 
  30. College adopts –  Commission
  31. How does the College Vote – Commission
  32. Who sets the College’s agenda – Commission
  33. When does the College meet – Commission
  34. Commission Proposal  – Commission
  35. Commission Press Release –  Commission
  36. Stakeholder public consultation on a proposal – Commission
  37. Proposal transmitted to EP – EP
  38. Proposal transmitted to Council –  Council
  39. Proposal allocated to Committee EP
  40. Role of lead and associated committee – EP
  41. Proposal allocated to Rapporteur –  EP
  42. Role of Rapporteur – EP
  43. Can the Rapporteur be ignored – EP
  44. Shadow Rapporteurs appointed – EP
  45. Role of Group Secretariat – EP
  46. Role of Committee Secretariat – EP
  47. Role of Political Advisers – EP
  48. Committee Draft Report 1st Reading – EP
  49. How long can a report be –  EP
  50. How to submit an amendment –  EP
  51. Committee Deadline for Amendments  – EP
  52. Are EP amendments subject to IA? – EP
  53. What happens if you are late – EP
  54. Committee Debate 1st Reading –  EP
  55. Recording votes in Committee – EP
  56. How the Groups prepare their positions – EP
  57. When do the Groups prepare their voting lists – EP
  58. Do national groups prepare their own lists – EP
  59. Role of Group coordinator – EP
  60. Role of National coordinator –  EP
  61. The link between national party & EP group –  EP
  62. Voting lists from a national government – EP
  63. The role and power of the Committee Chair – EP
  64. Committee 1st reading  – EP
  65. Voting rules in Committee – EP
  66. Plenary Deadline for Amendments 1st reading – EP
  67. Plenary Debate 1st reading – EP
  68. Plenary Vote 1st Reading – EP
  69. Recording votes in Plenary – EP
  70. Groups voting lists in plenary – EP
  71. National group voting lists in plenary – EP
  72. Trilogue mandate by Committee –  EP
  73. Trilogue mandate by Plenary –  EP
  74. Commission Opinion on EP 1st Reading –  EP
  75. Role of Commission in supporting EP – Commission
  76. Commission role in tabling compromise text – Commission
  77. Commission role in supporting Council – Commission
  78. The mandate of Commission Services in negotiations – Commission
  79. Inter-Service Consultation during talks – Commission
  80. Commission role in tabling compromise text – Commission
  81. Discussions Working Party  – Council
  82. Working Party develop ‘General approach’ – Council
  83. COREPER adopt a ‘General approach’ – Council
  84. Council adopt ‘Conclusions’/ Political Agreement – Council 
  85. Role of Presidency  – Council
  86. Role of Council Secretariat – Council
  87. Voting Rules & a Consensus Approach –  Council
  88. Political Agreement – Council
  89. Common Position  – Council 
  90. Commission Opinion on Common Position – Commission
  91. Common Position Received – EP
  92. Can the Political Agreement be changed – All
  93. Committee Debate 2nd Reading – EP
  94. Committee Draft Recommendation 2nd Reading – EP
  95. Committee Deadline for Amendments – EP
  96. Committee Vote 2nd Reading – EP
  97. Plenary Deadline for Amendments 2nd Reading –  EP
  98. Plenary Debate 2nd Reading –  EP
  99. Plenary Vote 2nd Reading – EP
  100. What can and can’t be tabled at 2nd reading – EP
  101. Commission Opinion on EP 2nd Reading  – Commission
  102. Conciliation Press Release  – All
  103. Conciliation Joint Text – All
  104. EP Conciliation Report 3rd Reading – EP
  105. Plenary Debate 3rd Reading  – EP
  106. Translation 
  107. Final Legislative Act
  108. Can the text be changed?
  109. Signing ceremony