Jean Roberts

Organisational policies should never be developed or evaluated in isolation, as they underpin both procedures and work practices.

A Policy is a statement of principles or standards of conduct which guide any decision making in relation to processes, activities and initiatives which happen, or are expected to happen, frequently.

Properly developed and communicated, policies ensure a consistent approach and value to all frequent processes, activities and initiatives.   Most importantly, policies must reflect the philosophy and purpose of the organisation.

The process of policy development is almost as important as the policies themselves.   Being such an important part of an organisation’s governance, management and operation, policy development should be closely linked with the procedures necessary to implement each policy – and should result in improved work practices.

Linking policies with improved work practices

1.      The governing body determines and endorses the strategic, policy and financial framework for the organisation.

2.     The appropriate organisational structure is introduced to support the purpose and strategic direction of the organisation.

3.       Authority is delegated from the Board to the CEO, and through the CEO to individual members of staff – adequate and appropriate to enable them to effectively and efficiently fulfil their relative accountabilities and responsibilities.

4.       A policy on policy-making is endorsed to ensure that all policies (governance, management and operational) are consistent in format, language and style.

5.      People affected by a policy should participate in the development of that policy.

6.     Each policy is then extended to a procedure, to ensure that it is appropriately and consistently followed.  Responsibilities for ensuring that procedures are followed are allocated to appropriate positions in the organisational structure and included in the relevant position descriptions.

7.     Each procedure is then examined to determine the nature and format of documentation needed to record adherence to, and effectiveness of, the procedure – or conversely the reason and circumstances in which the procedure is not followed.

8.       When this work is done, the policies, procedures, responsibilities and documentation are introduced and explained to relevant people through an appropriate training program.

9.       Policies and procedures are now in a position to be transformed into improved work practices, which is the objective and desired outcome of an evidence-based policy framework.