POLICY

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Definitions

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)