POLICY OVERVIEW

Policy Management Practices: A How to Guide

& Best Practices

Policy vs. Procedures

Policy: Rule or law. This is what the company should live by. It’s the “WHY”

Procedure: More line level in accomplishing the policy accordingly. The “HOW”

How to Write Effective Policies Ensure policies are… Consistent: Use the same template for each policy Short: Limit policies and procedures to one or two pages

whenever possible. Keep sentences and paragraphs short and simple.

Readable: Use bullets and list to organize information. Findable: Use descriptive titles to distinguish it from similar

documents and make it easy for people to find. Engaging: Write inactive not passive voice, and use an

informal rather that formal tone. Specific: Do not use vague language when you can be

specific. For example, “keeping a certain distance from...” in not as effective as “staying three feet away from…”

Prioritizing Policy Development Efforts: Key Questions Does our current policy communicate executive

direction such as vision, mission, values, or objectives?

How critical is the document to achieving our vision, mission, values, and goals?

How integral is the policy to the success, support, and enablement of daily operations?

How urgent is the need for written directions on this particular subject?

How unclear or complex is this issue to the average employee?

Managing the Policy Management Life CycleStages of policy management life cycle are: Create: Use simple, clear, specific language, and

easy-to-read formatting. Review: & Approve: Embrace a continuous process

that involves all necessary stakeholders. Distribute: Take a strategic, proactive approach

using multiple distributions channels. Track: Develop a schedule and alert system to track

policy review, and a way to capture attestation. Update: Outdated policies are a liability; updating

must be a priority.

Document should be crisp, precise, and to the point.

Five Steps to Success Align policies with compliance, assurance

and risk governance objectives. Align and update policies based on shifts in

the regulatory environment. Define who is accountable throughout the

policy life cycle. Ensure that employees understand and

adhere to policies. Identify and address gaps in compliance

and policy exceptions.

Policy Management Practices: A How to Guide & Best Practices

If you have any questions or need guidance, please direct them to

policy@savannahstate.edu