Guideline vs. Policy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 14, 2023
A guideline suggests recommended practices without mandating them, while a policy sets mandatory rules that must be followed.
Difference Between Guideline and Policy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A guideline provides advice on how something can be done, suggesting a preferred method or approach. On the other hand, a policy is a set of rules or principles that dictate how situations should be handled within an organization. Both serve essential roles, but they differ in their enforcement and rigidity.
A guideline is generally more flexible and serves as a reference or recommendation. It offers best practices that, if followed, can lead to desired outcomes. Conversely, a policy is more rigid and denotes a course of action that is deemed necessary by an organization or authority. Failure to adhere to a policy can lead to consequences or penalties.
While a guideline is a tool to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes, it isn't obligatory. It gives individuals or entities a framework to work within, ensuring consistency and quality. A policy, in contrast, outlines specific requirements and standards, aiming to ensure consistency, fairness, and efficiency within an organization.
It's essential to note that while guidelines can be ignored without any direct consequences, this isn't the case with policies. Policies come with expectations, and deviations from them can result in repercussions, depending on the organization's nature or the policy's context.
Both guidelines and policies are crucial for functioning and growth. Guidelines offer room for creativity and innovation, while policies ensure adherence to standards and uphold an organization's values.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Suggestive
Mandatory
Flexibility
High
Low
Consequences for Non-compliance
Usually none
Often has repercussions
Purpose
To offer best practices or advice
To enforce specific rules or standards
Adaptability
Can evolve based on experiences
Typically static unless formally changed
Compare with Definitions
Guideline
A suggested course of action to achieve specific outcomes.
The company issued a guideline for employees working remotely.
Policy
A set of rules governing behavior or decision-making.
The company's no-smoking policy was strictly enforced.
Guideline
A reference point ensuring consistent and standardized actions.
The design guideline ensured uniformity across all products.
Policy
A course of action adopted by an organization or individual.
The store's return policy was customer-friendly.
Guideline
A non-binding approach detailing best practices.
The training included a guideline on effective communication.
Policy
Formal guidelines ensuring standard procedures in specific situations.
The school implemented a strict attendance policy.
Guideline
Recommendations provided for a particular activity or challenge.
The health department set a guideline for safe food handling.
Policy
An official statement detailing an entity's stance or approach.
The organization's privacy policy was detailed and transparent.
Guideline
A framework to aid decisions in a particular scenario.
The nutritional guideline offered healthier food choices.
Policy
A principle guiding actions towards desired outcomes.
The government's policy on renewable energy was progressive.
Guideline
A guideline is a statement by which to determine a course of action. A guideline aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine or sound practice.
Policy
Policy is a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol.
Guideline
A statement or other indication of policy or procedure by which to determine a course of action
Guidelines for the completion of tax returns.
Policy
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual
It is not company policy to dispense with our older workers
The government's controversial economic policies
Guideline
A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
He considered the Ten Commandments more as a guideline than a requirement.
Policy
A contract of insurance
They took out a joint policy
Guideline
A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
Policy
An illegal lottery or numbers game
He swore that he had never played policy in his life
Guideline
A light line, used in lettering, to help align the text.
Policy
A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters
American foreign policy.
The company's personnel policy.
Guideline
A formal rule describing how a situation must be handled; - used as a direction to administrators from superiors.
Policy
A course of action, guiding principle, or procedure considered expedient, prudent, or advantageous
Honesty is the best policy.
Guideline
A light line that is used in lettering to help align the letters
Policy
Prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity in practical matters
It is never good policy to speak rashly.
Guideline
A detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action;
The president said he had a road map for normalizing relations with Vietnam
Policy
A written contract or certificate of insurance.
Guideline
A rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior
Policy
A numbers game.
Policy
A principle of behaviour, conduct etc. thought to be desirable or necessary, especially as formally expressed by a government or other authoritative body.
The Communist Party has a policy of returning power to the workers.
It's company policy that all mobile phones are forbidden in meetings.
Policy
Wise or advantageous conduct; prudence, formerly also with connotations of craftiness.
Policy
Specifically, political shrewdness or (formerly) cunning; statecraft.
Policy
The grounds of a large country house.
Policy
(obsolete) The art of governance; political science.
Policy
(obsolete) A state; a polity.
Policy
(obsolete) A set political system; civil administration.
Policy
(obsolete) A trick; a stratagem.
Policy
(obsolete) Motive; object; inducement.
Policy
(law)
Policy
A contract of insurance.
Policy
A document containing or certifying this contract.
Your insurance policy covers fire and theft only.
Policy
(obsolete) An illegal daily lottery in late nineteenth and early twentieth century USA on numbers drawn from a lottery wheel (no plural)
Policy
A number pool lottery
Policy
(transitive) To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.
Policy
Civil polity.
Policy
The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.
Policy
The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course.
Policy
Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.
Policy
Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.
The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so far above his clothes, did detect him.
Policy
Motive; object; inducement.
What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is counted an injury?
Policy
A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds.
Policy
The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils, or risks to which his person or property may be exposed. See Insurance.
Policy
A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy.
Policy
To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.
Policy
A line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government;
They debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation
Policy
A plan of action adopted by an individual or social group;
It was a policy of retribution
A politician keeps changing his policies
Policy
Written contract or certificate of insurance;
You should have read the small print on your policy
Common Curiosities
What is a guideline?
A guideline suggests recommended practices without mandating them.
What happens if you don't adhere to a policy?
Not following a policy can result in repercussions depending on the organization or context.
Can you ignore a guideline without consequences?
Generally, yes. Guidelines offer best practices but aren't obligatory.
Why are guidelines useful?
Guidelines offer a framework and best practices, ensuring consistency and quality.
How does a policy differ from a guideline?
A policy sets mandatory rules that must be followed, unlike a guideline which is suggestive.
Why do organizations set policies?
Policies ensure adherence to standards and uphold an organization's values.
Do all organizations have guidelines and policies?
While most organizations have policies, not all might have guidelines, depending on their nature and needs.
Can a guideline become a policy?
Yes, if an organization deems a guideline's practice essential, it can be formalized into a policy.
How are policies typically changed?
Policies are typically changed through formal processes within an organization.
Are guidelines always written?
Not necessarily. While many guidelines are documented, some can be informally communicated.
Are policies legally binding?
Some policies, especially in regulated industries, can have legal implications, but not all are legally binding.
Can guidelines evolve over time?
Yes, guidelines can evolve based on experiences and changing contexts.
Can an individual have personal guidelines and policies?
Yes, individuals can have personal guidelines (best practices) and policies (self-set rules) for their behavior and decisions.
Who is responsible for policy enforcement?
Typically, management or designated authorities within an organization are responsible for policy enforcement.
Who usually sets guidelines in an organization?
Typically, experts or leaders within the organization set guidelines based on best practices.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
