Organizational Policy

An Organizational Policy is an organizational statement that governs organizational decision-making processes and guides organizational member actions (within organizational systems).

• Context:
  • It can (typically) establish Governance Framework through policy directive.
  • It can (typically) enforce Compliance Standards through policy requirement.
  • It can (typically) maintain Organizational Control through policy mechanism.
  • It can (typically) guide Decision Process through policy guideline.
  • It can (often) facilitate Policy Communication through training program.
  • It can (often) support Policy Implementation through procedural guide.
  • It can (often) enable Policy Enforcement through monitoring system.
  • It can (often) coordinate Policy Integration through policy alignment.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Broad Organizational Policy to being a Specific Organizational Policy, depending on policy scope.
  • It can range from being a Mandatory Organizational Policy to being a Guideline Organizational Policy, depending on enforcement level.
  • It can range from being a High-Level Organizational Policy to being an Operational Organizational Policy, depending on strategic focus.
  • It can range from being a Simple Policy Framework to being a Complex Policy Framework, depending on organizational complexity.
  • It can range from being an Institution Organization-Level Policy to being a Team Organization-Level Policy, depending on organizational level.
  • It can range from being a Static Organizational Policy to being an Adaptive Organizational Policy, depending on policy flexibility.
  • ...
  • It can communicate Organizational Values through value statement.
  • It can outline Issue Resolution through resolution framework.
  • It can set Decision Parameters through decision guideline.
  • It can ensure Legal Compliance through compliance requirement.
  • It can serve as Decision Framework through decision structure.
  • It can ensure Policy Understanding through communication channel.
  • It can undergo Policy Review through review process.
  • It can enforce Policy Adherence through enforcement mechanism.
  • It can integrate with Related Documents through document alignment.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Governance-Related Policys, such as:
    • Ethics and Conduct Policys, such as:
      • Code of Ethics Policy for defining ethical standards and expected behaviors across the organization.
      • Employee Code of Conduct for establishing behavioral guidelines covering professionalism, confidentiality, and workplace respect.
      • Diversity and Inclusion Policy for creating and maintaining workplace diversity and inclusive environment.
    • Risk Management Policys, such as:
      • Enterprise Risk Policy for implementing risk governance and risk assessment.
      • Incident Response Plan for managing security incidents and breach recovery.
      • Business Continuity Plan for ensuring operational continuity during disaster events.
  • Security-Related Policys, such as:
    • Information Security Policys, such as:
      • Privacy Policy for governing data protection and information handling.
      • Information Security Policy (AUP) for defining acceptable use of information systems.
      • Information Security Roles for specifying security responsibility assignments.
      • Data Management Policy for ensuring data lifecycle security and compliance.
      • Access Control Policy for managing access management and resource authorization.
      • Cryptography Policy for implementing data encryption and cryptographic controls.
    • Operational Security Policys, such as:
      • Computer Security Policy for protecting computing resources through security controls.
      • Physical Security Policy for safeguarding facility security and physical assets.
      • Operations Security Policy for maintaining operational protection and security procedures.
  • Management-Related Policys, such as:
    • Resource Management Policys, such as:
      • Asset Management Policy for controlling organizational assets and resource utilization.
      • Human Resource Security Policy for ensuring personnel security through workforce management.
    • Development Policys, such as:
      • Secure Development Policy for integrating security practices into software development.
      • Organizational Peaceful Use Policy for promoting ethical application of organizational resources.
  • Relationship Management Policys, such as:
    • Third-Party Management Policys, such as:
      • Organizational Contract Policy for managing contract lifecycle and agreement compliance.
      • Vendor Management Policy for overseeing external relationships and supplier risk.
    • Customer Management Policys, such as:
      • Service Level Policy for defining service standards and delivery requirements.
      • Customer Data Policy for protecting customer information and privacy rights.
  • Operational Policys, such as:
    • Workplace Policys, such as:
      • Remote Work Policy for governing remote operations and virtual workplace.
      • Health and Safety Policy for ensuring workplace safety and emergency response.
    • Performance Policys, such as:
      • Performance Review Policy for managing performance evaluation and goal setting.
      • Productivity Policy for establishing work standards and efficiency measures.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Mission Statement, which provides organizational direction rather than policy guidance.
  • Strategy Document, which outlines strategic plans rather than policy requirements.
  • Legal Law, which mandates legal requirements rather than organizational guidelines.
  • Standard Operating Procedure, which details operational steps rather than policy frameworks.
• See: Statement, Rule, Protocol, Procedure, Policy Framework, Governance System, Compliance Management, Policy Implementation Guide.

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References

2024

• Perplexity
  • An organizational policy is a formal statement that governs how an organization operates and makes decisions. Here are the key aspects of organizational policies:
  • Purpose and Definition: Organizational policies serve as guidelines that:
    • Communicate the organization's values, philosophy, and culture[2]
    • Outline the organization's plan for addressing certain issues[2]
    • Set parameters for decision-making while allowing some flexibility[2]
  • Key Characteristics: Effective organizational policies generally have the following characteristics:
    • Clear, concise language that is easily understood[2]
    • Explain rules without detailing implementation specifics[2]
    • Are easily accessible to all staff[2]
    • Provide a consistent, logical framework for the organization[2]
  • Common Types of Policies: Organizations often have policies covering areas such as:
    • Employee benefits and vacation time[2]
    • Code of conduct and confidentiality[2]
    • Customer service standards[2]
    • Resource usage and sharing[1]
    • Identity and access management[1]
    • Geographic restrictions on operations[1]
  • Differences from Procedures: It's important to distinguish policies from procedures:
    • Policies set general guidelines, while procedures provide step-by-step instructions[2]
    • Policies explain "why," procedures explain "how"[2]
    • Policies allow flexibility, procedures are more prescriptive[2]
  • Implementation and Enforcement: For organizational policies to be effective:
    • They must be clearly communicated throughout the organization[2]
    • Leadership needs to model adherence to policies[2]
    • Employees are responsible for following established policies[2]
    • Policies should be reviewed and updated regularly to remain relevant
  • Benefits: Well-crafted organizational policies provide several benefits:
    • Centralize control over organizational resources and practices[1]
    • Ensure compliance with regulations and industry standards[1]
    • Allow teams to work efficiently within established boundaries[1]
    • Promote consistency in operations and decision-making[2]
    • Help build and protect the organization's brand and reputation over time[2]
  • Citations:

[1] https://cloud.google.com/resource-manager/docs/organization-policy/overview
[2] https://www.powerdms.com/policy-learning-center/what-is-a-policy-vs.-a-procedure
[3] https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/tools/toolkits/understanding-developing-organizational-culture

2021

• (Wikipedia, 2021) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/policy Retrieved:2021-1-8.
  • A policy is a deliberate system of principles 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 a governance body within an organization. Policies can assist in both subjective and objective decision making. Policies to assist in subjective decision making usually assist senior management with decisions that must be based on the relative merits of a number of factors, and as a result are often hard to test objectively, 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, public sector organizations and groups, as well as 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 (e.g. a law requiring the payment of taxes on income), policy merely guides actions toward those that are most likely to achieve a desired outcome. Policy or policy study may also refer to the process of making important organizational decisions, including the identification of different alternatives such as programs or spending priorities, and choosing among them on the basis of the impact they will have. Policies can be understood as political, managerial, financial, and administrative mechanisms arranged to reach explicit goals. In public corporate finance, a critical accounting policy is a policy for a firm/company or an industry that is considered to have a notably high subjective element, and that has a material impact on the financial statements.

2019

• https://www.powerdms.com/blog/corporate-policies-procedures/
  • QUOTE: Why do you need corporate policies and procedures? They serve several purposes, with the overarching goal of protecting employees’ rights and safeguarding the company’s business interests.

    A corporate policy spotlights the “why” behind employees’ jobs and defines how to measure success. It gives some guiding principles for decisions and actions.

    A company procedure ensures employees know specifically how to carry out the policy, which keeps the organization running smoothly.

    Together, corporate policies and procedures provide guidance; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws; decrease liability; streamline operations; promote a safe work environment; and encourage consistency.

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