Writing operational policies

HANEEN

EMEIR

By: Haneen Emeir

IT Department

*Developing Policies

*What is the problem with

policies?!!!

*Do I need to write a policy in the first

place?

*Why policy?

• to establish consistent treatment

• to guide repeat situations

• to establish standards & regulations

• if employee actions indicate confusion

• to comply with legislation

• guides program design & service delivery

• principles that guide day-to-day actions

• GOVERN A BUSINESS PROCESS

*Policy Types

• Governing/Administrative policies

• Operational policies

* Operational Policy

It is a predetermined course of action established as a guide toward accepted organizational strategies & objectives

They are the guidelines on what needs to be done.

• Translates vision to action

• A functional framework for staff actions

*Procedure

A method by which a policy can be accomplished. It provides the instructions to carry put a policy statement

Procedures are expressed as a series of operational activities or series of steps that should executed. They are written in a directional fashion to achieve a desired objective. It indicates “ the how “policies should be implemented

*GOOD POLICY

• Beneficial to public

• Reflects vision of institution or department.

• Well informed

• Within the organization’s resource capacity

• Easy to interpret

• Adaptive

• Consistent with general policies

*Policy Contents

1. Policy 2. Purpose 3. Scope of applicability4. Responsibilities 5. Definitions & abbreviations 6. Related documents 7. Procedure 8. “Flowchart”9. Reference

* POLICY MAKING PROCESS

*DISCOVER STAGE• defining the problem

• validity of facts

• more than one problem?

• what questions need asking?

• existing information

• research

Results in a key question(s)

*Goal of Discover Stage

Output

Purpose Scope(1)

Goalkey result if the policy issue is addressed

*DEVELOP STAGE• seeing possibilities

• analyzing options

• best practices

• contrary views

• innovative ideas

• mandate & success & effort

• pros & cons, best/worst, rating

Results in a preferred option

PRACTICALITY CHECKLIST

Can you think of other practical considerations to

evaluate policy applicability?

Options Analysis Criteria Y/N

1. Existing Policy Consistency

2. Business Will to Proceed

3. Human Capacity to Implement

*Goal of Develop Stage

Output

Policy Scope (2) References

Goalto generate possibilities & alternatives

for resolving the policy issue

*DELIVER STAGE• plan to implement best option

• sequenced actions

• responsibilities

• timeline

• resources

• expenses

• revenue

Results in a policy action plan

*Goal of Deliver Stage

Output

Procedure(s) Responsibilities Flowchart Documentati

on

Goalto identify actions and resources to implement the policy

recommendation

*Debrief; Follow-up

Goal: continual lifecycle of a policy

• progress

• contingency options

• check-in points

• data & statistics

• observations

• comparisons

• scheduled review

• legislated requirements

*Goal of Debrief Stage

Output

Versions of policy

GoalContinual lifecycle of a policy

*G

*Example: PC Delivery Policy

Confidential business policy