A policy is typically described as a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome(s). The term is not normally used to denote what is actually done, this is normally referred to as either procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by the Board of 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.

Contents

• 1 Impact
  • 1.1 Intended effects
  • 1.2 Unintended effects
• 2 Policy cycle
• 3 Content
• 4 Typologies
  • 4.1 Distributive policies
  • 4.2 Regulatory policies
  • 4.3 Constituent policies
  • 4.4 Miscellaneous policies
• 5 Types
• 6 Other uses of the term
• 7 See also
• 8 References
• 9 External links

Impact

Noun

policy (plural policies)

1. A plan or course of action, especially one of an organization or government
   • The Communist Party has a policy of returning power to the workers
2. A course of action thought to be prudent or tactically advantageous; hence prudence or sagacity
   • Honesty is the best policy
   • Some policy players frequented policy shops
3. A statement of commitment to a broad requirement, often used in an organisation to instruct personnel as to a required outcome (note: whereas "Procedures" describe how a policy is implemented).
4. Shrewdness or artfulness
   • 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Modern Library Edition (1995), page 140

     These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I with greater policy concealed my struggles, and flattered you...

Derived terms

• policymaker
• policy shift
• endowment policy
• fiscal policy
• honesty is the best policy
• monetary policy
• policy mix
• to implement a policy

Matching Results for Policy:

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
"There is nothing improper about American Jews and their Christian allies attempting to sway US policy; the Lobby's activities are not a conspiracy...

www.exteriorspecialist.com
... www.exteriorspecialist.com/arts/design/interior_design/education ... www.exteriorspecialist.com/exterior_specialist_or_home_staging ... www.exteriorspecialist.com/policy/ ...
www.exteriorspecialist.com/urllist.txt

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Computers: Security: Policy:
This subcategory of Computers: Security: Policy is intended for companies that provide products or professional services related to computer security policies. HIPAA ...

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Regional: North America: United States ...
Domestic Policy Council - Created by Executive Order in 1993, coordinates the domestic policy-making process and provides domestic policy advice to the President. ...

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Science: Environment: Academic Departments ...
Environmental Policy Program, Michigan Technological University, ... Environmental Resources and Policy Program, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale - Interdisciplina iry Ph. ...