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OECD Public Governance Policy Papers

These Papers provide insights from OECD work on public governance, which looks at how governments design and implement strategic, evidence-based and innovative policies to respond to diverse and challenges and deliver on government’s commitments to citizens.

English, French

Fixing frictions: ‘sludge audits’ around the world

How governments are using behavioural science to reduce psychological burdens in public services

Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting behavioural science methodologies to address "sludge" – the unjustified frictions impeding people' access to government services and exacerbating psychological burdens. Sludge audits, grounded in behavioural science, provide a structured approach for identifying, quantifying, and preventing sludge in public services and government processes. This document delineates Good Practice Principles, derived from ten case studies conducted during the International Sludge Academy, aimed at promoting the integration of sludge audit methodologies into public governance and service design. By enhancing government efficiency and bolstering public trust in government, these principles contribute to the broader agenda on administrative simplification, digital services, and public sector innovation.

English

Keywords: time tax, public services, behavioural, frictions, behavioural science, administrative burden, red tape, democracy, trust, bureaucracy
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