This research is a critical analysis of lifelong learning (LLL) as a strategy for continuous professional development (CPD) of curriculists in the Department of Technical Vocational Education & Training (DTVET) in Botswana. The assumption that formal education will provide the required competencies for the duration of the work cycle is obsolete. The researcher argues that the workplace provides a rich environment for informal, problem-centred learning and that LLL skills are essential tools that enable practitioners to be actively involved in their professional development. The main discussion is within a postmodern paradigm which views learning and development as both a cognitive process as well as a social construct. This view forms the basis for an analytical construct to examine the fundamental question; do practitioners see themselves as observers on the outside, or as active participants, within the experience, having the ability to adapt to changes in the nature of work? The study used a mixed, exploratory design to determine, motivators and barriers to LLL, and the LLL skills practitioners require to perform efficiently in their jobs. The conclusion was that in order to enhance the skills of practitioners to a level consistent with an evolving knowledge economy that continuous development rests on the inclusive principles of LLL, and on the acquisition of LLL skills. Data indicated that these modern day skills are perceived to empower practitioners to, not only manage change, but also to be change agents through the use of information technology, research, self-management, and team work. The fundamental barriers emanating from the research were the lack of support from DTVET management as well as cultural barriers which inhibit self-directed learning. Data from the study were conclusive in showing that LLL was an effective strategy to enhance CPD. Based on the roles, barriers, motivators and LLL skills identified in the research, recommendations are presented along with a conceptual model for LLL as a strategy for CPD. / Adult Basic Education (ABET) / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

Information security in the form of IT governance is part of corporate governance. Corporate governance requires that structures and processes are in place with appropriate checks and balances to enable directors to discharge their responsibilities. Accordingly, information security must be treated in the same way as all the other components of corporate governance. This includes making information security a core part of executive and board responsibilities. Critically, corporate governance requires proper checks and balances to be established in an organisation; consequently, these must be in place for all information security implementations. In order to achieve this, it is important to have the involvement of three key role players, namely information security professionals, ICT security auditors and regulatory officials (from now on these will be referred to collectively as the ‘role players’). These three role players must ensure that any information security controls implemented are properly checked and evaluated against the organisation’s strategic objectives and regulatory requirements. While maintaining their individual independence, the three role players must work together to achieve their individual goals with a view to, as a collective, contributing positively to the overall information security of an organisation. Working together requires that each role player must clearly understand its individual role, as well the role of the other players at different points in an information security programme. In a nutshell, the role players must be aligned such that their involvement will deliver maximum value to the organisation. This alignment must be based on a common framework which is understood and accepted by all three role players. This study proposes a South African Information Security Alignment (SAISA) framework to ensure the alignment of the role players in the implementation and evaluation of information security controls. The structure of the SAISA framework is based on that of the COBIT 4.1 (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology). Hence, the SAISA framework comprises four domains, namely, Plan and Organise Information Security (PO-IS), Acquire and Implement Information Security (AI-IS), Deliver and Support Information Security (DS-IS) and Monitor and Evaluate Information Security (ME-IS). The SAISA framework brings together the three role players with a view to assisting them to understand their respective roles, as well as those of the other role players, as they implement and evaluate information security controls. The framework is intended to improve cooperation among the role players by ensuring that they view each other as partners in this process. Through the life cycle structure it adopts, the SAISA framework provides an effective and efficient tool for rolling out an information security programme in an organisation / Computer Science / M. Sc. (Computer Science)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and examine governance structures and practices and service delivery to provide comprehensive understanding of governance and service delivery situation at sub-national levels in Namibia. Public service agencies are presumed to lack good governance practices which adversely affect service delivery. It was argued that good governance practices improve public service performance and ultimately enhances service delivery. Furthermore, the study noted that the delivery of basic services such as potable water, health, education, electricity and proper road communication can augment the living standard of the people. Various public service reforms undertaken by the Government of Republic of Namibia since independence in 1990 explain government’s resolve to good governance and improved service delivery. Consequently, workable relationship between government and citizens is needed to realise national development plans and Vision 2030. The study used the Oshana Region case study in order to determine whether governance practices have bearing on service delivery at sub-national levels in Namibia. Qualitative research approach was utilised and qualitative data were collected in addition to rigorous literature review and analysis. Scientifically, gathered information suggested that good governance practices are certainly fundamental to service delivery and subsequently improve people’s living standard particularly those residing in rural areas. The study found that the Namibian government exercised good governance practices and provided basic services to citizens. Nonetheless, inappropriate governance practices by some public institutions delay service delivery. The study concluded that while poor governance and ineffective service delivery are considerable challenges faced by public service, they are not insurmountable. The thesis acknowledged a significant progress made by creating governance structures at sub-national levels to provide and accelerate the delivery of essential services to citizens in Namibia. Notwithstanding the above, more still need to be done to improve the socio-economic welfare of Namibian people. Therefore, the research recommended that the Government of Republic of Namibia ought to provide sufficient resources and promote public participation to address the needs and aspirations of the citizens particularly the previously marginalised people in rural areas. Moreover, sub-national governance structures should be strengthened and essential government functions and services be devolved. / Public Administration and Management / D. (Public Administration)

Thesis (MA) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The effects that a traumatic event can have on an individual and the high crime rate in South Africa (SA) were grounds for this two-phase study investigating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom severity within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Two aims of the study were to investigate the relationship of six variables with the outcome variable (PTSD symptom severity) and to construct a regression model that could be used to predict levels ofPTSD symptom severity amongst SAPS members. A third aim was to construct a current list of duty-related stressors that SAPS members face. Phase one comprised 19 officers compiling a duty-related stress list that would form the basis of the stressor questionnaire in phase two. Phase two comprised 97 officers in 12 stations in the West Metropol completing a battery of questionnaires, including the PTSD Symptom Scale: Self-Report Version (Foa, Riggs, Dancu, & Rothbaum, 1993), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988), an extent of service experience questionnaire, and the duty-related stress list. The results from the regression model showed perceived social support to have significant beneficial effects on PTSD symptom severity as did emotion-focused coping. Problem-focused coping was found to exacerbate PTSD symptom severity. Regression model 1 and regression model 2 were found to not significantly predict the outcome variable and the model of best fit was suggested. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uitwerking wat 'n traumatiese gebeurtenis op 'n individu kan he en die hoe misdaadsyfer in Suid-Afrika (SA) was die beweegredes agter 'n tweefasige studie na die ernstigheid van die simptome van posttraumatiese stresversteuring (PTSV) in die Suid- Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD). Die doel van die studie was om die verwantskap van ses veranderlikes met die uitkomsveranderlike te ondersoek en om 'n regressiemodel te skep wat gebruik kan word om die vlak van ernstigheid van PTSV-simptome by SAPD-Iede te voorspel. 'n Derde doel was om 'n bygewerkte lys van die werksverwante stressors wat SAPD-Iede in die gesig staar, saam te stel. In fase een het 19 polisiebeamptes 'n werksverwante streslys saamgestel wat as grondslag vir die stressorvraelys van fase twee gedien het. Fase twee het die voltooiing van 'n reeks vraelyste deur 97 beamptes van 12 stasies in die Wes-Metropool behels. Vraelyste het die volgende ingesluit: die PTSVsirnptoomskaal: self-aanmeldingsweergawe (Foa, Riggs, Daneu & Rothbaum, 1993), die maniere-van-hantering-vraelys (Folkman & Lazarus, 1998), die multidimensionele skaal van waargenome sosiale ondersteuning (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1998), 'n vraelys oor die mate van dienservaring, en die stresvraelys. Die uitslae van die regressiemodel het getoon dat waargenome sosiale ondersteuning, asook emosioneelgefokusde hantering, 'n betekenisvolle voordelige uitwerking op die ernstigheid van PTSV -sirnptome het. Daar is gevind dat probleemgefokusde hantering die ernstigheid van PTSV-simptome vererger. Regressiemodel 1 en die gewysigde regressiemodel 2 het nie die uitkomsveranderlike betekenisvol voorspel nie en die model wat die meeste van pas was, is aanbeveel.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this thesis is to assess the performance appraisal system, namely the Performance Enhancement Process (PEP), of the South African Police Services at Parow. The premise of the study is that PEP is a sound policy document, but that there are potential problems with its implementation at station level. To this end, the reader is presented with an overview of the relevant literature pertaining to performance appraisals. The shift in managerial philosophy and the organisational change from a force to a service and its effect on performance appraisals are discussed. The results of the empirical study are presented and it is concluded that there are various problems with the implementation of PEP at station level. The researcher presents the following practical recommendations: - Conduct an audit; - Eliminate structural problems; - Adequate appraiser training; - Appraisee training; - Connect the PA system to other organisation systems; and - Obtain a charter from top management. The reader is then presented with a conclusion of the research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die tesis is om die prestasie waardering stelsel van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie Dienste, naamlik die Prestasie Verbeterings Proses (PEP), te evalueer te Parow. Die uitgangspunt van die studie is dat PEP ‘n gesonde beleidsdokument is, maar dat daar egter potensiële probleme is met die implementering daarvan op stasie vlak. Om hieraan te voldoen, word die leser voorsien van ‘n oorsig oor die toepaslike literatuur betrokke tot prestasie waardering. Die verskuiwing in bestuursfilosofie en die organisatoriese verandering van ‘n mag tot ‘n diens en die effek op prestasie waardering word bespreek. Die uitslae van die empiriese studie word aangebied en die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat daar wel verskeie probleme is met die implementering van PEP op stasievlak. Die navorser bied die volgende prakiese aanbevelings aan: - Die aanvoer van ‘n oudit; - Eliminering van struktuele probleme; - Voldoende “appraiser” opleiding; - “Appraisee” opleiding; - Opkoppeling van die waardeeringstelsel met ander organisatoriese stelsels; en - Kry ‘n handves van topbestuur. Die leser voorsien van ’n gevolgtrekking oor die studie.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipalities are entrusted with the responsibility of providing sustainable social services to local communities. Issues of capacity to facilitate the delivery of such services feature prominently in these municipalities where a number of communities have expressed their frustration and even anger at the slow pace of delivery of services, or the absence of such service delivery. The reported failure by senior municipal managers to facilitate the delivery of the needed services to communities motivated this investigation. In particular, the possible contribution of leadership learning in the developmental needs of senior managers in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality was focused upon. The main knowledge claim in this study is that the proven lack of competencies and skills of senior municipal managers have much to do with the weak delivery of acceptable services to communities. Consequently, the study indicated the need to identify the developmental needs of senior municipal managers from a leadership learning perspective and to implement developmental interventions to possibly address such needs. The study was conducted in four phases. First, a number of pre-planning leadership learning questions were formulated, which were determined through document analyses and developing theoretical perspectives from review of relevant literature. Next, a needs assessment among senior managers was conducted. This phase was followed by the implementation of a planned intervention based on leadership learning principles. Finally, the potential success of the intervention was evaluated. The study revealed that although the municipality of Bushbuckridge has an acceptable policy framework that supports leadership learning, the leadership competencies and skills required for senior managers to facilitate delivery of municipal services to communities were lacking. The leadership intervention in this study had limited success due to systemic instabilities within the particular municipal system. The study showed that systemic stability appears to be essential for productive leadership development. It also showed that financial investment in leadership development or developmental interventions may contribute less to enhancing the performance of senior managers if a municipality lacks systemic stability. Given the reported large-scale systemic instability within local municipalities countrywide in South Africa, the results of this study indicate that capacity development initiatives are destined for failure if systemic issues are not addressed first. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Munisipaliteite is daarvoor verantwoordelik om volhoubare maatskaplike dienste aan plaaslike gemeenskappe te verskaf. Kwessies rakende die vermoë om sulke dienste te fasiliteer speel ʼn belangrike rol in munisipaliteite waar ʼn aantal gemeenskappe uitdrukking gegee het aan hul frustrasie en selfs woede oor die stadige pas waarteen dienste gelewer word of die afwesigheid van sulke dienslewering. Die gerapporteerde onvermoë van senior munisipale bestuurders om die vereiste dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer het hierdie ondersoek gemotiveer. In die besonder is die kollig geplaas op die moontlike bydrae van leierskapleer in die ontwikkelingsbehoeftes van seniorbestuurders in die plaaslike munisipaliteit van Bosbokrand. Die belangrikste kennisaanspraak in hierdie studie is dat die bewese gebrek aan bevoegdhede en vaardighede van senior munisipale bestuurders grootliks toegeskryf kan word aan die swak lewering van aanvaarbare dienste aan gemeenskappe. Die studie het aangetoon dat daar ʼn behoefte bestaan om die ontwikkelingsbehoeftes van senior munisipale bestuurders vanuit die perspektief van leierskapsleer te identifiseer en om ontwikkelingsintervensies te implementeer om moontlik sulke behoeftes aan te spreek. Die studie is in vier fases uitgevoer. Eerstens is ʼn aantal voorafbeplanningsvrae rakende leierskapsleer geformuleer. Hierdie vrae is deur dokumentanalise en die ontwikkeling van teoretiese perspektiewe van ʼn tersaaklike literatuuroorsig gegenereer. Daarna is ʼn behoeftebepaling onder seniorbestuurders gedoen. Hierdie fase is gevolg deur die implementering van ʼn beplande intervensie gebaseer op leierskapsleerbeginsels. Laastens is die potensiële sukses van die intervensie geëvalueer. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat alhoewel die munisipaliteit van Bosbokrand ʼn aanvaarbare beleidsraamwerk het wat leierskapsleer ondersteun, die vereiste leierskapsbevoegdehede en -vaardighede vir seniorbestuurders om die lewering van munisipale dienste aan gemeenskappe te fasiliteer ontbreek het. Die sukses van die leierskapsintervensie in hierdie studie was beperk vanweë sistemiese onstabiliteit in die besondere munisipale stelsel. In die studie is daar aangetoon dat sistemiese stabiliteit noodsaaklik is vir produktiewe leierskapsontwikkeling en verder dat geldelike investering in leierskapsontwikkeling of ontwikkelingsintervensies waarskynlik minder tot die verbetering van senior bestuurders se prestasie sal bydra as sistemiese stabiliteit in ʼn munisipaliteit ontbreek. In die lig van die gerapporteerde grootskaalse sistemiese onstabiliteit in plaaslike munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika dui die bevindinge van hierdie studie aan dat inisiatiewe vir die ontwikkeling van kapasiteit sal misluk as sistemiese vraagstukke nie eers aangepak word nie.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Today’s competitive and dynamic business world, solicits ever higher levels of performance and productivity. At the core of this drive to higher performance is the enhancement and managing of employees’ performance through a Performance Management system. Performance Management however, is a very complex, multi-dimensional and integrated system with a number of interacting critical prerequisites. Even in ideal circumstances, these fundamental elements would, in all likelihood, not all be satisfied during the initial phases of implementing a Performance Management system. The concern existed, on the basis of the abovementioned probabilities, that the Performance Management system of the Children and Families Division (CAF) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) of Tasmania, Australia, was not enjoying optimal operational effectiveness. The aim of this study was to identify those factors in the system that are underdeveloped, possibly unsuccessfully implemented or in need of attention as they impact negatively on the effective running of the CAF’s Performance Management system. A suitable tool for this diagnostic purpose already exists in the form of the Performance Management Audit Questionnaire (PMAQ), developed by Spangenberg and Theron (1997). Through administering and analysing the PMAQ results, the CAF could obtain a clear indication of the system’s current effectiveness and would be able to identify where the problem areas are in order to refine the system for greater operational effectiveness. The results successfully identified the underdeveloped or absent areas of the organisation’s current Performance Management system. The results further found a clear difference between managerial and non-managerial perceptions of the effectiveness of the Performance Management system. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of proposed remedial actions that could be implemented to address the problem areas. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Konstante strewe na steeds hoër vlakke van prestasie en produktiwiteit is aan die orde van die dag in die huidige hoogs kompeterende en dinamiese besigheidswêreld. Die verbetering en bestuur van werknemers se prestasie deur middel van ‘n Prestasiebestuurstelsel, blyk ‘n sleutel te bied tot hierdie strewe na hoër prestasie. Prestasiebestuur is egter ‘n hoogs komplekse, multidimensionele en geintegreerde stelsel met ‘n aantal interverwante kritieke vereistes. Selfs onder ideale omstandighede, sou dit onwaarskynlik wees dat al hierdie fundamentele elemente aangespreek sou kon word gedurende die anvanklike fases van die implementering van ‘n Prestasiebestuurstelsel. In die lig van die bogenoemde waarskynlikhede, het daar spesifiek twyfel geheers oor die mate waartoe die Prestasiebestuurselsel van die ‘Children and Families’ (CAF) afdeling van die ‘Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Tasmanië, Australie, optimale operasionele effektiwiteit weerspieël. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die faktore binne die stelsel te identifiseer wat onderskeidelik onderontwikkeld, onsuksesvol geimplementeer, of aandag benodig het ten einde hulle negatiewe impak op die effektiewe bedryf van die CAF se Prestasiebestuurstelsel aan te spreek. ‘n Geskikte hulpmiddel vir so ‘n diagnostiese doelwit het reeds bestaan in die vorm van die Performance Management Audit Questionnaire (PMAQ) wat deur Spangenberg en Theron (1997) ontwikkel is. Deur middel van die administrasie van die PMAQ en die analise van die resultate, sou die CAF ‘n duidelike aanduiding kon verkry van die stelsel se effektiwiteit en sou hulle die probleemareas kon identifiseer ten einde die stelsel tot groter operasionele effektiwiteit te verfyn. Die resultate het die leemtes en onder-ontwikkelde areas binne die organisasie se huidige Presasiebestuurselsel suksesvol geidentifiseer. Die resultate het verder gedui op ‘n duidelike verskil tussen die persepsies van bestuurders en nie-bestuurders oor die effektiwiteit van die Prestasiebestuurstelsel. Die implikasies van hierdie bevindings word ten slotte bespreek in terme van die voorgestelde remediëringsaksies wat geimplementeer sou kon word om die probleemareas aan te spreek.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / There is deep concern nationally and internationally about the increasing numbers of sexual offences against children. South Africa is one of the countries with a very high incidence of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is very traumatic for most children: research reveals that the negative psychological impact of child sexual abuse persists over time and even into adulthood. Disclosure of sexual abuse is often very traumatic for the victim and the response of the investigation officer is crucial as inappropriate responses to disclosure can inhibit the child's healing process, jeopardize the subsequent legal proceedings and expose the child to secondary traumatisation. This study explores the training needs of investigating officers of the South African Police Services with regard to interviewing young victims of sexual abuse. The rationale would be that if investigating officers were adequately trained in interviewing sexually abused children the trauma will be lessened for the child victim and their families. A qualitative study was conducted. Two groups of participants were used in the study: Investigating officers working for the SA Police Service and social workers working for various non-governmental organizations. Participants were purposefully selected. Data were produced by the use of questionnaires and interviews semi-structured. The interviews were analysed thematically. The seven themes that emerged from the data analysis were: reporting of sexual abuse, investigation of sexual abuse, knowledge of sexual abuse, practical skills, attitudes of investigating officers, children with disabilities and support for investigating officers. The data from the questionnaires were also analysed quantitatively. The findings from the study indicate that investigating officers need more in-depth and extensive training on how to interview sexually abused children.

本研究目的在探討首長警衛人員之工作滿足，並以人格特質、工作特性為自變項探討其整體關係模式。本研究採問卷調查法，針對首長警衛全體人員192人發放問卷，共回收175份，有效問卷計151份，有效問卷回收率為78.6％ 。研究問卷內容包含首長警衛個人基本資料、人格特質量表、工作特性量表及工作滿足量表。問卷調查所得資料運用電腦統計套裝軟體SPSS for Windows 10.0版以描述性統計、因素分析、信度分析、單因子變異素分析、Person積差相關係數、中位數及sheffe多重比較檢定等方法進行分析研究。 本研究主要發現如下： 一、不同性別、年齡、學歷、婚姻狀況、職務序列、首長警衛年資、職務之首長警衛人員，工作滿足有顯著性差異；不同工作類別則無。 二、就人格特質而言，傾向內控人格特質之首長警衛，工作滿足較高；反之，則工作滿足較低。 三、就工作特性而言，工作特性越強，則工作滿足越高；反之則越低。 四、就首長警衛整體滿足而言，滿意度3.09，僅略高於中間值，顯示滿意度尚待提昇。 本研究並依據文獻探討及實證研究結果提出建議，供首長警衛專責單位及未來相關研究之參考。 關鍵詞：首長警衛、工作特性、人格特質、工作滿足 / The purpose of this research is to discuss the working satisfaction of security to high-ranking government officials, and discuss the entire relation model by using personality feature and working feature as independent variable. Total 192 questionnaires were issued to all security to high-ranking government officials, and there were 151 valid questionnaires out of 175 returned questionnaires and the valid questionnaire return rates were 78.6%. The contents of the questionnaire included their personal information, personality inventory, working feature inventory and working satisfaction inventory. The SPSS for Windows 10.0 was applied to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire by descriptive statistic, factor analysis, reliability analysis, one-way ANOVA, Person’s coefficient of production-moment correlation, median and Sheffe's multiple comparison tests. It is discovered that: 1. Different gender, age, education background, marriage status, career sequence, seniority of security, and career Of security to high-ranking government official has significant difference in working satisfaction; different working category does not have difference. 2. In terms of personality feature, security tends to with personality feature of internal control has higher working satisfaction, and vice versa. 3. In terms of working feature, working satisfaction increases with the working feature, and vice versa. 4. In terms of overall satisfaction of security to high-ranking government officials, the satisfaction is 3.09, which is only higher than medium value, and means the satisfaction needs to be improved. This research also addresses suggestion according to literature review and empirical research results as references for department of security to high-ranking government officials and future researches. Keywords: Security to High-ranking Government Officials, Working feature, Personality feature, Working satisfaction

政務官面對急速變遷的環境，必須洞察時代的脈動，妥為因應，才能永續發展組織的業務。因此，不論工作計畫的擬定、問題的解決、或危機處理，必須掌握先機，蒐集資訊，並運用決策模型，縝密分析後採取行動，才能達到預期的目標，而正確的決策，對於機關業務的推動，更具關鍵性的影響。 　　本研究主要採取文獻探討、比較分析、深度訪談等研究方法。為能更深入了解我國政務官決策之方法、過程及面臨之困境，本研究參考決策相關理論，諸如，認知性決策過程、理性選擇、結構式溝通、利益團體、影響決策過程因素、政治系統過程等問題設計訪談題綱，並抽樣分別向行政院所屬相關部會，如法務部、經濟部、教育部、大陸委員會、勞工委員會、青年輔導委員會、蒙藏委員會等機關首長深度訪談，從其決策經驗及實案分析，以了解其決策之模型，並避免本研究流於理論之空談。 　　本研究發現：一、政務官在決策前，對於政策都能充分理解。二、政務官的決策方式，都有採用有限理性模型。三、政務官的決策方法，都有採用群體決策。四、政務官對於利益團體的活動，都認為有其必要性。五、政務官認為影響其決策的因素，可歸納為時間的壓力、輿論的反應、預算的通過、高層意見、立法院、法律限制等。六、政務官對於國內的政治生態環境皆能適應。 　　根據文獻探討及深度訪談發現，本研究提出以下建議，作為政務官決策之參考：一、理解政策問題。二、確定政策目標。三、建構備選方案。四、設定篩選準則。五、爭取政策支持。六、監督政策執行。 / Government officials especially for those who are responsible for ministerial portfolio have to make decisions in response to the constantly changing environment. Hence, it requires takes excellent foresight, good data mining skills, superior strategic models and deliberate analysis to draft plans, solve problems, and deal with the crisis. Making the right decision serves as the key factor in the process of successful governance. 　　In this research, the author applies the methods of literature review, comparative analysis, and in-depth interview in order to understand the decision-making process, decision methods, as well as decision dilemma confronting ministerial officials with portfolio. Further more, this research uses relevant decision -making theories, such as cognitive decision process, rational choice, structured communication, and factors affecting decision-making process, such as interest groups & political system process. Based on the parameters of literature review, the author designs the outlines of interviews and selects ministerial officials with portfolio from the ministry of justice, ministry of economic affairs, ministry of education, mainland affairs council, national youth commission, and Mongolian and Tibetan affairs commission and conducts in-depth interviews. 　　There are several important findings derived from our 〝empirical〞case studies. First, before a government official makes his decision, he has a full grasp with the policy issue. Second, the decision models of government officials are mostly based on limited-rational model. Third, government officials often make decisions based on group consensus. Fourth, government officials think it is necessary to take opinions of interest groups into account. Fifth, government officials spend a lot of time in response to public pressure, budget & legal constraints demands of Legislative Yuan and in fathoming the attitudes of higher authorities before they make their decisions. Sixth, most government officials are quite accustomed to the political environment. 　　According to our literature review and in-depth interviews, this study makes the following suggestions before a government official makes his or her policy decision. First, fully comprehend the content and implications of a policy. Second, set an objective for the policy. Third, keep a substitute project on hand. Forth, set criteria or standards for policy implementation. Fifth, to garner for support from government and related actors. Sixth, monitor the execution of a policy.