1. policy as a
word has many definitions in current dictionaries amongst which only one is partially correct: "a definite
course or method of
action to guide and
determine future decisions." It is also "prudence or
wisdom," "a
course of
action," and a
lot of other things according to the
dictionary. It even is said to be laid down at the top. Therefore the
word has so many other meanings that the
language itself has become confused. Yet, regardless of
dictionary fog, the
word means an exact thing in the specialized
field of
management and
organization. Policy means the principle
evolved and issued by top
management for a specific activity to guide
planning and
programming and authorize the issuance of
projects by
executives which in
turn permit the issuance and enforcement of orders that direct the activity of
personnel in achieving
production and
viability. Policy is therefore a principle by which the conduct of
affairs can be guided.
(HCO PL 25 Nov 70) 2. long-
range truths or facts which are not
subject to
change expressed as
operational rules or guides.
(HCO PL 29 Feb 72 II) 3. a policy is the
law on which orders are authorized and originated.
(FO 2627RA) 4. all policies actually
derive in greater or lesser degree from
group experience which more or less adds up to
group agreement and policies which tend to stay along are actually formed with
group agreement and are therefore not outside the
perimeter of the
group.
(7012CO4 SO) 5. the rules of the
game, the facts of
life, the discovered truths and the invariable procedures. (
HCO PL 29
Feb 72
ID 6. policy is such things as the
organizing board,
hats. It is how to write letters. It is how to get the show on the road, keep it there and
handle the
bumps. Policy is the
broad general outline originated by top
management. Orders are the instructions issued by the next lower
level of
management to get things done that result in products.
(FBDL 12) 7. policy is a growing thing, based on "what has worked." What works we'll today becomes tomorrow's policy.
(HCO PL 13 Mar 65 II) 8. policy 'is
derived from
successful experience in forwarding the
basic purposes, overcoming opposition or
enemies, ending distractions and letting the
basic purpose flow and expand.
(HCO PL 13 Mar 65, Divisions 1, 2, 3 The Structure of Organization What is Policy?) 9. policy is a guiding thing. It is composed of ideas to make a
game, procedures to be followed in
eventualities and deterrents to
departures. The
basic policy of an activity must be the defining and recommending of a
successful and desirable
basic purpose.
(HCO PL 13 Mar 65, Divisions 1, 2, 3 The Structure of Organization What is Policy?) 10. a rule or procedure or a guidance which permits the
basic purpose to succeed.
(HCO PL 13 Mar 65, Divisions 1, 2, 3 The Structure of Organization What is Policy?) 11. political
wisdom or cunning; diplomacy prudence; artfulness.
Wise,
expedient, or crafty conduct or
management. Any governing principle, plan or
course of
action. The last
definition is the one we
use.
(HCO PL 5 Mar 65 II) 12. a plan of
action; way of
management,
practical wisdom; prudence. Political
skill or shrewdness.
Obsolete-the conduct of
public affairs;
government.
(HCO PL 5 Mar 65 II) 13. the sense in which we
use policy is the rules and administrative
formulas by which we agree on
action and conduct our
affairs.
(HCO PL 5 Mar 65 II) 14. a method of bringing about
agreement and
communication along certain matters which
lead to a higher
level of
survival. They
lead to a higher
level of
survival if they are good policies, they
lead to a lower
level of
survival if they are poor policies and they
lead to
complete disaster if they are bad policies.
(SH Spec 39, 6409C15) 15. policy came from years and years of
experience. It's the know-how of
handling orgs and groups.
(OODs 18 Aug 75) 16. that is what makes the
team. It is simply the
extant agreement and if there isn't an
extant agreement then you have individualized
action.
(SH Spec 57, 6504CO6) 17. policy is
derived from
successful actions and is the agreed upon way that the actions of the
group are carried out successfully. These actions are in written
form and are followed exactly.
(BPL 4 Jul 69R VI)