Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches

There has been a widespread confusion among students regarding the meaning of policy and procedure and the difference between these terms, some people talk about policy, meaning of a policy and procedures manual, Others talk about policy meaning the implicit framework that guides our day to day actions on the job while still Others emphasize that policy is made by boards within an organization.
However, this paper highlight very briefly what is a policy meaning and definition of policies, types of policy stages of policy cycle, elements of policy¸ criteria for good policy, policy analysis approaches, forms of policy analysis approaches, differences between policies and procedures, characteristics of policy and stages of policy process, the paper arranged as Q/A format.

1. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
1
POLICY, DIFFERENCE BETWEE POLICY
AND PROCEDURE, TYPES OF
POLICY,CHARACTERISTICS OF POLICY,
POLICY ANALYSIS APPROACHES, STAGES
OF POLICY CYCLE & POLICY MAKING
PROCESS



BY

ALI IBRAHIM JILI'OW


MBA/ OUM



OCT, 2017

2. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
QUESTION ONE: LIST AND EXPLAIN THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF POLICIES ..........3
MEANING, CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS OF POLICY .......................................................3
MEANING OF POLICY.................................................................................................................3
DEFINATION OF POLICY............................................................................................................4
TYPES OF POLICY............................................................................................................................4
COMPONENTS OF POLICY .........................................................................................................5
ORGANIZATION'S POLICIES AND STRATEGIES ...................................................................5
IMPORTANCE OF POLICIES.......................................................................................................5
ELEMENTS OF POLICY...............................................................................................................6
OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF POLICY ..........................................................................6
TYPES OF SPECIFIC POLICIES..................................................................................................6
OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF POLICY ..........................................................................6
CRITERIA FOR GOOD POLICY..................................................................................................6
POLICY FORMULATION PROCESSES ......................................................................................7
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES....................................................7
CHARACTERISTICS OF POLICY ...............................................................................................7
PROCEDURES...............................................................................................................................8
QUESTION TWO: EXPLAIN THE STAGES OF POLICY PROCESS .......................................8
STAGES/ MODEL OF POLICY PROCESS ..................................................................................9
POLICY ANALYSIS MODELS .....................................................................................................9
FORMULATED POLICY PROCESS MODELS..........................................................................9
QUESTION THREE: ILLUSTRATE THE POLICY ANALYSIS APPROACHES ..................10
POLICY ANALYSIS CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN CATEGORIES .........................10
OTHER APPROCHES FOR POLICY ANALYSIS .....................................................................11
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

3. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
3
INTRODUCTION
There has been a widespread confusion among students regarding the meaning of policy and
procedure and the difference between these terms, some people talk about policy, meaning of a
policy and procedures manual, Others talk about policy meaning the implicit framework that
guides our day to day actions on the job while still Others emphasize that policy is made by
boards within an organization.
However, this paper highlight very briefly what is a policy meaning and definition of policies,
types of policy stages of policy cycle, elements of policy¸ criteria for good policy, policy analysis
approaches, forms of policy analysis approaches, differences between policies and procedures,
characteristics of policy and stages of policy process, the paper arranged as Q/A format.
QUESTION ONE: LIST AND EXPLAI N THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF POLICIES
Policies are clear, simple statements of how your organization intends to conduct its services,
actions or business. They provide a set of guiding principles to help with decision making.
MEANING, CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS OF POLICY
Policies are the ways by which annual objectives will be achieved. Policies include guidelines,
rules, and procedures established to support efforts to achieve stated objectives. Policies are
guides to decision making and address repetitive or recurring situations. Policies are most often
stated in terms of management, marketing, finance/accounting, production/operations, research
and development, and computer information systems activities.
Policies can be established at the corporate level and apply to an entire organization at the
divisional level and apply to a single division or at the functional level and apply to particular
operational activities or departments (David, 2011).
MEANING OF POLICY
A Policy can be considered as a "Statement of Intent" or a "Commitment". For that reason at
least, the decision-makers can be held accountable for their "Policy”.
The term may apply to government, private sector organizations and groups, and 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 (Buyera, 2012).

4. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
4
DEFINATION OF POLICY
Policy is normally described as a theory or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational
outcomes. The word is not generally used to denote what is actually done; this is normally
referred to as either procedure or protocol (Saidi, 2012).
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.
Politics is the basic principles by which a government is guided, The declared objectives that a
government or party seeks to achieve and preserve in the interest of national community. See
also public policy (Business Dictionary).
Policy is defined as the value or perspective that underlies action. Board policies express the
board's soul, embody the board's beliefs, commitments, values, and visions, and express its
wisdom.
“A public policy is an action which employs governmental authority to commit resources in
support of a preferred value”Considine, 1994).
TYPES OF POLICY
a) Domestic policy
b) Foreign Policy
Domestic policy
Domestic policy is an area of public policy which concerns, laws, government programs, and
administrative decisions which are directly related to all issues and activity within a nation's
borders. It differs from foreign policy, which refers to the ways a government advances its
interests in world politics.
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest
strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within
international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other
countries (Saidi, Public policy & Management, 2012) .

5. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
5

COMPONENTS OF POLICY
Policy is very important to any organization, and of course with policy everything seems mess,
however the following are the essential components of a policy.
 Guidelines
 Rules, and
 Procedures
ORGANIZATION'S POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
Changes in a firm’s strategic direction do not occur automatically. On a day-to-day basis,
policies are needed to make a strategy work. Policies facilitate solving recurring problems and
guide the implementation of strategy. Broadly defined, policy refers to specific guidelines,
methods, procedures, rules, forms, and administrative practices established to support and
encourage work toward stated goals. Policies are instruments for strategy implementation.
Policies set boundaries, constraints, and limits on the kinds of administrative actions that can be
taken to reward and sanction behavior (David, Strategic management: concepts and cases, 2011).
IMPORTANCE OF POLICIES
Policies are very important because:
1) Policies could set clear priorities
Adding a clear focus on equity as a district or school goal is one way to increase awareness and
communicate that equitable discipline should be a pressing direction for all administrators and
staff.
2) Policies could reduce the effects of explicit bias. In situations of explicit (i.e., conscious)
bias, effective policy is the most promising approach for reducing discrimination.
3) Policies could enable implementation of specific interventions. By promoting and creating
the structures to implement specific practices
4) Policies could reduce discriminatory practices. By removing or restricting use of practices
that result in disparate outcomes policymakers may make outcomes more equitable (Ambra
Green, 2015).

6. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
6
TYPES OF SPECIFIC POLICIES
 Human resource policies
 Privacy policy
 Public policy
 Defense policy
 Domestic policy
 Economic policy
 Education policy
 Energy policy
 Environmental Policy and National Environmental Policy Act
 Foreign policy
 Forest policy
 Health policy
ELEMENTS OF POLICY
There are some essential elements of policy and these are as follows:
 Policy objectives
 Policy instruments
Policy objectives: These are the "ends" of a policy and reflect the overall purpose or long-term
aim(s). Policy instruments: Policy instruments. These are the "means" of a policy, the actions
used to carry it out and the methods by which its objectives are achieved.
OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF POLICY
 Policy creates a framework for action
 Policy is a decision
 Policy is grounded in legitimate authority
 Policy is a written product
 Policy is in the hearts and minds of people (it needs to be known to be acted on).
 Policy creation is an ongoing process
 Policy is a wider framework within which your organization operates.
CRITERIA FOR GOOD POLICY
There are some criteria for good policy and these criteria include:
a) Is it client focused?

7. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
7
b) Will it be useful for the intended users, eg, service users, staff and Management/committee
members?
c) Does it include policies on all areas relevant for accreditation and legislative requirements?
d) Will it improve the likelihood the service is a quality service?
e) Is it easy to find and access?
f) Does it inspire the reader?
POLICY FORMULATION PROCESSES
Policy formulation processes contains several steps, these are as follows:
a) Selecting the desired objective
b) Identifying the target of the objective
c) Determining the pathway to reach that objective
d) Designing the specific program or measure in respect of that goal or Cost and Financing
e) Implementing the measure
f) Assessing its impact (Kisembo, 2010)
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The differences between policies and procedures can be summarized as follows: 1. Policies guide
decision making, while procedures drive actions. 2. Policies leave some room for managerial
discretion, while procedures are detailed and rigid 3. Policies are an integral part of
organizational strategies, while procedures are tactical tools. 4. Policies are generally formulated
by top management, while procedures are laid down at lower organizational levels in line with
policies (Sarkissian)
CHARACTERISTICS OF POLICY
Good policies and procedures should
a) Provide insight on what the management believes is important
b) Clarify obligations of the employees, purpose of the obligations and consequences of failure
to abide by them
c) Be consistent and last beyond the term of a particular executive
An eight step policy cycle is developed in detail in The Australian Policy Handbook by Peter
Bridgman and Glyn Davis: (now with Catherine Althaus in its 4th edition - 5th editions in press)
Issue identification
1) Policy analysis

8. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
8
2) Policy instrument development
3) Consultation (which permeates the entire process)
4) Coordination
5) Decision
6) Implementation
7) Evaluation
PROCEDURES
Procedures describe how each policy will be put into action in your organization. Each procedure
should outline:
 Who will do
 What steps they need to take
 Which forms or documents to use
QUESTION TWO: EXPLAIN THE STAGES OF POLICY PROCESS
A policy established and carried out by the government goes through several stages from
inception to conclusion. These are the following
 Agenda building
 Formulation,
 Adoption,
 Implementation,
 Evaluation and
 Termination.
Formulation and adoption
Policy formulation means coming up with an approach to solving a problem. Congress, the
executive branch, the courts, and interest groups may be involved. Contradictory proposals are
often made. The president may have one approach to immigration reform, and the opposition-
party members of Congress may have another.
Implementation
The implementation or carrying out of policy is most often accomplished by institutions other
than those that formulated and adopted it. A statute usually provides just a broad outline of a
policy.
Evaluation and termination

9. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
9
Evaluation means determining how well a policy is working, and it is not an easy task. People
inside and outside of government typically use cost-benefit analysis to try to find the answer
(CliffsNotes).
STAGES/ MODEL OF POLICY PROCESS
According to Peters (2009) the Stages Model of Policy Process consists of the following stages:
i. Issue emergence
ii. Agenda setting
iii. Alternative selection
iv. Enactment
v. Implementation and
vi. Evaluation
All of these stages can be analyzed in an individual manner in relation to the packaging policy of
Tesco.
POLICY ANALYSIS MODELS
Patton and Sawicki (1986) put forward a six-step model, and although, as they say, there is no
single agreed-upon way of carrying out policy analysis, theirs remains one of the more helpful
frameworks for looking at a particular policy problem. The basic aim of their approach is to
assist someone who is required to analyze a given situation and to derive a policy to deal with it.
FORMULATED POLICY PROCESS MODELS
Patton & Sawicki presented six step models for policy
 Define the problem
 Establish evaluation criteria
 Identify alternative policies
 Select among the alternatives
 Monitor policy outcomes
There are problems in using any model, not the least of which would be the temptation to simply
follow a menu, rather than to really analyse what is happening. Stokey and Zeckhauser(1978)
also set a similar model of five steps.  Quade (1982) also sees five elements: Problem
formulation, searching for alternatives, forecasting the future environment, modelling the
impacts of alternatives and evaluating the alternatives.

10. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
10
Anderson’s model of the policy process has five stages:
Problem identification and
Agenda formation
Formulation
Adoption
implementation & evaluation
QUESTION THREE: ILLUSTRATE THE POLICY ANALYSIS APPROACHES
Various approaches to policy analysis exist. The analysis for policy is the central approach
in social science and educational policy studies. It is linked to two different traditions of policy
analysis and research frameworks.
Policy analysis is a technique used in public administration to enable civil servants to examine
and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of elected officials. It has been defined
as the process of "determining which of various policies will achieve a given set of goals in light
of the relations between the policies and the goals (Wikipedia).
POLICY ANALYSIS CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN CATEGORIES
a) Analysis of existing policy, which is analytical and descriptive
b) Analysis for new policy, which is prescriptive
In other words policy analysis approaches can be categorized ito three categories
The first category – policy as language and power – looks at the written policy documents with a
view to analyzing the meaning and interpretation given by language, as well as the guiding
ideology, discourse and power concealed beneath the policy languages (Khanal, 2010).
The second category – policy as cultural agent – sees how policy aims to provide certain roles,
characteristics or social identities to particular actors and how these actors understand, internalise
and act upon the roles and characteristics given to them. More specifically, it is the ways
whereby the state aims to construct and infuse certain characteristics and identity among citizens
through the vehicle of policy (Khanal, Researching policy differently:ANTHROPOLOGICAL
AND SOCIOCULTURAL APPROACH TO POLICY ANALYSIS, 2010) .
The final approach – policy as political technology – looks at the political phenomena and
technology of governance with a view to understanding how policy helps to reinforce a new

11. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
11
form of institutional regime and power. It encourages researchers to explore both overt and
ulterior motives of policy makers for introducing a new policy.
OTHER APPROCHES FOR POLICY ANALYSIS
Analysis-centric
The analysis-centric (or "analycentric") approach focuses on individual problems and their
solutions. Its scope is the micro-scale and its problem interpretation or problem resolution
usually involves a technical solution. The primary aim is to identify the most effective and
efficient solution in technical and economic terms (e.g. the most efficient allocation of resources
Policy process
The policy process approach puts its focal point onto political processes and
involved stakeholders; its scope is the broader meso-scale and it interprets problems using a
political lens (i.e., the interests and goals of elected officials). It aims at determining what
processes, means and policy instruments (e.g., regulation, legislation, subsidy, etc.) are used. As
well, it tries to explain the role and influence of stakeholders within the policy process.
Meta-policy
The meta-policy approach is a systems and context approach; i.e., its scope is the macro-scale
and its problem interpretation is usually of a structural nature. It aims at explaining the
contextual factors of the policy process; i.e., what are the political, economic and socio-cultural
factors influencing it.As problems may result because of structural factors (e.g., a certain
economic system or political institution), solutions may entail changing the structure itself.
According to Carl V. Patton and David S. Sawicki, following suggestions should help as you
begin to understand policy analysis approaches
1) Leans to Focus Quickly on the Central Decision Criterion of the Problem
2) Avoid the Tool-box Approach to Analyzing Policy
3) Learn to Deal with Uncertainty
4) Say It with Numbers
5) Make the Analysis Simple and Transparent
6) Learn to Advocate the Positions of Others
7) Push the Boundaries of Analysis beyond the “Policy Envelope”.
8) Give the Client Analysis, Not Decisions

12. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
12
9) Be Aware That There Is No Such Thing as an Absolutely Correct
Leans to Focus Quickly on the Central Decision Criterion of the Problem: What factor of the
problem is most important to your client? On what criterion is the decision likely to be made?
Will it be minimizing the cost of some service?
Avoid the Tool-box Approach to Analyzing Policy: Some disciplines specify analytical routines
in detail for many circumstances. This may encourage some people to begin work on a policy
problem because it lends itself to their favorite method
Learn to Deal with Uncertainty: Neophyte analysts are tempted to isolate each parameter of a
policy problem and then establish their most likely future values. Having tacked down the key
parameters of the problem (because the task is never-ending, many spend most of their allocated
time on this phase), they believe the problem can be solved.
Say It with Numbers: Much of this book deals with using numbers to understand and resolve
problems. Most policy problems have an associated data base, and it is important to use these
data in gaining insights about the problem.
Make the Analysis Simple and Transparent: Does the analysis inform your clients? Do they
understand it and as a consequence make better decisions? These central questions should be
asked about any policy analysis.
Check the Facts: It is important to develop a healthy skepticism for widely held beliefs and
established facts in matters of public policy.
Learn to Advocate the Positions of Others: There are three principal reasons that taking a
position different from your own can be beneficial. This is not to suggest that analysts should be
amoral.
Give the Client Analysis, Not Decisions. Policy analysts and planners usually give advice to
their clients; they do not make decisions for them. This has important implications for the types
of analyses that are done
Push the Boundaries of Analysis beyond the “Policy Envelope”. Often problems come in very
circumscribed forms. Someone has already decided what the problem is and what the alternatives
are.
Be Aware That There Is No Such Thing as an Absolutely Correct, Rational, and Complete
Analysis. Quality of analysis can be judged only in the context of time and resources available.

13. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
13
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
Policies are clear, simple statements of how your organization intends to conduct its services,
actions or business. Policies are the ways by which annual objectives will be achieved. Policies
include guidelines, rules, and procedures established to support efforts to achieve stated
objectives. Policy is defined as the value or perspective that underlies action.
Elements of policies are Policy objectives: These are the "ends" of a policy and reflect the
overall purpose or long-term aim(s). Policy instruments: Policy instruments. These are the
"means" of a policy, the actions used to carry it out and the methods by which its objectives are
achieved.
Components of Policy: Policy is very important to any organization, and of course with policy
everything seems mess, however the following are the essential components of a policy.
 Guidelines
 Rules, and
 Procedures
There are some criteria for good policy and these criteria include:
g) Is it client focused?
h) Will it be useful for the intended users, eg, service users, staff and Management/committee
members?
i) Does it include policies on all areas relevant for accreditation and legislative requirements?
j) Will it improve the likelihood the service is a quality service?
k) Is it easy to find and access?
l) Does it inspire the reader?
Policy formulation processes contains several steps, these are as follows:
g) Selecting the desired objective
h) Identifying the target of the objective
i) Determining the pathway to reach that objective
j) Designing the specific program or measure in respect of that goal or Cost and Financing
k) Implementing the measure
l) Assessing its impact

14. © 2017 Jili'ow, Policy, procedure, types of policy, characteristics of policy & policy analysis approaches
14
REFERENCES
Ambra Green, R. N. (2015, September). Key Elements of Policies to Address Discipline
Disproportionality: A Guide for District and School Teams.
Buyera. (2012). Master's Program: Public policy & Management. Kampala.
CliffsNotes. (n.d.). CliffsNotes. Retrieved Augost Sunday, 2017, from The Policymaking
Process: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/american-government/public-policy/the-
policymaking-process
David, F. R. (2011). Strategic management: concepts and cases. New Jersy: Pearson Education,
Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall.
David, F. R. (2011). Strategic management: concepts and cases (13 edition ed.). New Jersy,
United States of America: Pearson Education.
David, F. R. (2011). Strategic management: concepts and cases. New Jersy: Pearson Education,
Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, One Lake Street.
Khanal, P. (2010, June 17).Anthropological and Sociocultural approach to policy analysis.
Khanal, P. (2010, June 17). Researching policy differently: Anthropological and Sociocultural
approach to policy analysis. Canterbury.
KHEL, S. S. (2015, January 25). Model for public policy.
Kisembo, H. C. (2010, December 21). Policy formulation and processes.
Saidi, B. (2012). Public policy & Management. Kampala.
Saidi, B. (2012). Public policy & Management.
Sarkissian, A. (n.d.). ehow.com. Retrieved August Sunday, 2017, from http://www.ehow.com:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5100532_difference-between-policy-
procedure.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=IACB2B