Concept, Definition, Functions and Content of

Policy
Concept of policy:
1) A system of Administration guided more by interests than by
principles.
2) What is pragmatic is called policy and what is based on
principles is referred as doctrinaire.
3) Various labels are applied to the decisions and actions we
take depending in general on the breadth of their
implications. If they are trivial and repetitive and demand
little cognition, they may be called routine actions. If they
are more complex have wider ramifications and demand
more thought , we may call it tactical decisions; For the
widest implications and longest time perspective which
require most information and contemplation is referred as
policy.
4) Wisdom in the management of affairs.
5) Policies are everywhere examples of some common
policies related to education are Scholarships of different
types, Issuing of bus /train passes to bonafide students,
Minimum & cut of marks to enter into courses supported by
the govt. Reservation of seats for scheduled castes,
handicapped, ex-servicemen etc Govt run public distribution
system (ration shops) Free electricity.

Definitions of policy:
1) A policy is an idea that is expressed in written document
which is ratified by a legitimate authority and serves as
guide to actions and is the result of policy process.
2) Policy can be defined as specific guideline for plan of
action to attain a specific goal within designated period.
3) Policy means settled course of action adopted or
followed by a government.
4) The set of basic principles and associated guidelines;
formulated and enforced by the governing body of
organization to direct and limit its actions in pursuit of
long term goals.
5) Policies are the consciously acknowledged rules of
conduct that guide administrative decisions.
6) Policy is a rational decision making / problem solving
process.
7) Policies are decisions about what to do or not to do in a
given situation.

Content of a Policy
Policies are typically promulgated through official written documents. Such
documents often have standard formats that are particular to the
organization issuing the policy. While such formats differ in form, policy
documents usually contain certain standard components including:

* A purpose statement, outlining why the organization is issuing the policy,

and what its desired effect or outcome of the policy should be.
* An applicability and scope statement, describing who the policy affects and
which actions are impacted by the policy. The applicability and scope may
expressly exclude certain people, organizations, or actions from the policy
requirements. Applicability and scope is used to focus the policy on only the
desired targets, and avoid unintended consequences where possible.
* An effective date which indicates when the policy comes into force.
Retroactive policies are rare, but can be found.
* A responsibilities section, indicating which parties and organizations are
responsible for carrying out individual policy statements. Many policies may
require
the
establishment
of
some
ongoing function or action. For example, a purchasing policy might specify
that a purchasing office be created to process purchase requests, and that
this office would be responsible for ongoing actions. Responsibilities often
include identification of any relevant oversight and/or governance structures.
* Policy statements indicating the specific regulations, requirements, or
modifications to organizational behavior that the policy is creating. Policy
statements are extremely diverse depending on the organization and intent,
and may take almost any form. Some policies may contain additional
sections, including:
* Background, indicating any reasons, history, and intent that led to the
creation of the policy, which may be listed as motivating factors. This
information is often quite valuable when policies must be evaluated or used
in ambiguous situations, just as the intent of a law can be useful to a court
when deciding a case that involves that law.
* Evaluation process, A description of the way in which the impact of the
policy will be assessed and timeline for this.
* Supporting tools, that will help the policy to be understood and successfully
implemented.
* Legislative base, a reference to the legislation that provides the authority
for the policy statements.

The Language of Policy

*Vision defines the desired end-state. It is an inspirational description of the
ultimate goal.
*Mission defines an organizations role or task in support of the Vision.
*Goals define the major directives or directions in support of the Mission.
*Objectives define major lines of action to achieve each strategic goal.
*Targets (performance targets) define desired measurable end states/results
against which to
compare actual performance.

*Measures (performance measures) are the data, variables and events used
to track progress
toward the Targets.

Functions of Policy:
Effective policy making is one of the most important services that public
services provided by the government. At its highest level, policy helps and
translates the intention of government into action. Policy work as:
1. To improve the Decision Making
Policy helps policy makers, implementation authorities and even workers in
the field to take decision easily as they have proper guidelines in shape of
that policy. Good policy work relies on powerful tools such as the use of
evidence, analysis and evaluation.
2. Explain why things need to be change
Effective policy development, documentation and communication help
government, public agencies and organizations to understand that what type
of essential changes are required to fulfill the needs in that specific area in
which policy has been made.
3. Help us to focus on what is important
Policy work shows how and what things are very important to be done to
deal with new challenges, importance of every need and job to be done is
clear through policy.
4. Inform judgements and guide action
Policy guidelines helps decision makers across our organization to solve
problems, to plan ahead and to make appropriate judgements. Policies
provide proper guidelines for all education to be taken.
5. Manage Risks and Entitlements
Good policy always considers risks to people and organizations and explains
the entitlements if included.
6. Strengthen relationships and builds capacity
Policy activity engages people and organizations within and outside
government in an exchange of ideas and information which strengthen their
relationships. It also ensures the growth of organization or department.