Policy

A policy is a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by the Board of Directors or senior governance body within an organization whereas procedures or protocols would be developed and adopted by senior executive officers. Policies can assist in both subjective and objective decision making. Policies to assist in subjective decision making would usually assist senior management with decisions that must consider the relative merits of a number of factors before making decisions and as a result are often hard to objectively test e.g. work-life balance policy. In contrast policies to assist in objective decision making are usually operational in nature and can be objectively tested e.g. password policy. The term may apply to government, private sector organizations and groups, and individuals. Presidential executive orders, corporate privacy policies, and parliamentary rules of order are all examples of policy. Policy differs from rules or law. While law can compel or prohibit behaviors, policy merely guides actions toward those that are most likely to achieve a desired outcome.

The Policy Process
Several steps comprise the policy process It would be unrealistic and even incorrect to say that the formulation of policy follows a clear and consistent pathway or route. Policy development is actually an involved and sometimes haphazard process that differs widely depending upon the concern being addressed. Sometimes it is a long and winding road with lots of detours and stops along the way. Despite the variation in policy process, there are some general steps (described below) that are common to its development. These are:

• selecting the desired objective: The first step in policy formulation is to determine the desired objective. The selection of objectives typically derives from priorities and imperatives set at the leadership level.
• identifying the target of the objective: The next step in the policy process is to identify the appropriate targets toward whom the

policy should be directed. The selected target is linked to the overall objective, which embodies within it either a direct or indirect statement of who will or should be affected by the proposed measure.

• determining the pathway to reach that objective: A third phase in the policy process is to determine from a range of options how best to

reach the specified objectives. This part of the work is often difficult and contentious. Several key factors act as a lens against which to assess decisions in the development of policy.

• • Potential effectiveness – how well a policy will meet the stated goals – is the first key factor.
  • Efficiency is a second key factor, which involves how well resources are utilized in achieving goals and implementing policy.
  • Consistency is a third factor; it refers to the extent of alignment of the policy with the broader goals and strategies
• designing the specific program or measure in respect of that goal: Policy formulation does not end once a preferred route to the desired outcome

has been selected. There is typically considerable design work to be done after the approach has been identified. In fact, it is at this point that the detailed work and tough decisions actually begin.

• implementing the measure and assessing its impact: Implementation is crucial to effectiveness, efficiency and consistency of a policy. A plan that may be excellent on paper could end up being very different from its intent if not properly implemented. It may be too slow, there may be too little investment for effective application or the policy may be inconsistent with other objectives or measures. Ideally, all policies and programs should assess and correct their course on an ongoing basis. The need for continuing feedback within the policy process is based on the assumption

that evaluation is important and not just for accountability purposes