Policy vs. Procedure — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 28, 2023
A policy is a guideline or set of principles; a procedure is a series of steps taken to accomplish a task. Policy represents a deliberate system of principles, and procedure is a series of steps, executed in a specific order.
Difference Between Policy and Procedure
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A policy represents a deliberate system of principles meant to guide decisions and achieve outcomes. On the other hand, a procedure is a series of steps, executed in a specific order, to carry out a task and implement a policy.
In an organizational context, a policy provides direction and informs employees about the company's stance on a particular issue. Whereas, the procedure illustrates how that stance is to be implemented in practical terms. For instance, a company might have a policy about workplace safety, while the procedure would outline the specific actions employees must take to maintain safety.
Policies are often broad in nature, setting a standard or guideline but not dictating the exact means to achieve it. In contrast, procedures are precise and detail-oriented, ensuring consistency in execution. For example, a school might have a policy on academic integrity; the procedure would then detail actions like using plagiarism detection software.
While policies can be relatively stable and may not require frequent updates, procedures might need revisions to accommodate changes in technology, regulations, or organizational structure. A company's policy on data privacy remains consistent, but the procedure might change based on new software tools.
In essence, while a policy denotes the "what" and "why" behind a decision or stance, a procedure communicates the "how". A company's policy could be to offer refunds for defective products, but the procedure would detail the exact steps for processing that refund.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A set of principles or guidelines
A series of steps for a specific task
Nature
Broad and guiding
Specific and detail-oriented
Purpose
Provides direction or stance
Implementation of a policy
Flexibility
Relatively stable
Might need frequent revisions
Relationship
Dictates "what" and "why"
Dictates "how"
Compare with Definitions
Policy
A deliberate system of guidelines to influence decisions.
The government's economic policy has spurred growth.
Procedure
A series of actions executed in a particular order.
The emergency evacuation procedure was practiced regularly.
Policy
A set direction or approach regarding a topic.
The store's refund policy is customer-friendly.
Procedure
A fixed sequence of steps to achieve a goal.
Follow the software installation procedure carefully.
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.
Procedure
An established or official way of doing something
The police are now reviewing procedures
Parliamentary procedure
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
Procedure
A manner of proceeding; a way of performing or effecting something
Standard procedure.
Policy
A contract of insurance
They took out a joint policy
Procedure
A series of steps taken to accomplish an end
A medical procedure.
Evacuation procedures.
Policy
An illegal lottery or numbers game
He swore that he had never played policy in his life
Procedure
(Computers) A set of instructions that performs a specific task; a subroutine or function.
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.
Procedure
A set of established forms or methods for conducting the affairs of an organized body such as a business, club, or government.
Policy
A course of action, guiding principle, or procedure considered expedient, prudent, or advantageous
Honesty is the best policy.
Procedure
(Law) The set of rules under which litigation is conducted, especially in contrast to the set of substantive legal principles that determine the merits of legal controversies and disputes.
Policy
Prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity in practical matters
It is never good policy to speak rashly.
Procedure
A particular method for performing a task.
Policy
A written contract or certificate of insurance.
Procedure
A series of small tasks or steps taken to accomplish an end.
Policy
A numbers game.
Procedure
(uncountable) The set of established forms or methods of an organized body for accomplishing a certain task or tasks.
Ensure that you follow procedure when accessing customers' personal information.
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.
Procedure
The steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
Policy
Wise or advantageous conduct; prudence, formerly also with connotations of craftiness.
Procedure
(obsolete) That which results; issue; product.
Policy
Specifically, political shrewdness or (formerly) cunning; statecraft.
Procedure
(computing) A subroutine or function coded to perform a specific task, but does not return a value.
Policy
The grounds of a large country house.
Procedure
(medicine) A surgical operation.
Policy
(obsolete) The art of governance; political science.
Procedure
The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct.
Policy
(obsolete) A state; a polity.
Procedure
A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
Policy
(obsolete) A set political system; civil administration.
Procedure
That which results; issue; product.
Policy
(obsolete) A trick; a stratagem.
Procedure
A particular course of action intended to achieve a result;
The procedure of obtaining a driver's license
It was a process of trial and error
Policy
(obsolete) Motive; object; inducement.
Procedure
A process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work;
The operations in building a house
Certain machine tool operations
Policy
(law)
Procedure
A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
Policy
A contract of insurance.
Procedure
A mode of conducting legal and parliamentary proceedings
Policy
A document containing or certifying this contract.
Your insurance policy covers fire and theft only.
Procedure
A specific way of performing a task or operation.
The lab has a strict procedure for handling chemicals.
Policy
(obsolete) An illegal daily lottery in late nineteenth and early twentieth century USA on numbers drawn from a lottery wheel (no plural)
Procedure
A method or process established for routine matters.
The hiring procedure involves three interview rounds.
Policy
A number pool lottery
Procedure
An established protocol for conducting affairs.
The court follows a procedure for hearing cases.
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
Policy
A set of principles guiding decisions and actions.
The company's policy ensures equal opportunities for all.
Policy
A course of action adopted by an organization or individual.
The new sustainability policy aims to reduce carbon emissions.
Policy
A statement of intent or position on an issue.
The school's policy on bullying is very strict.
Common Curiosities
Is a Procedure always formalized?
In most organizations, important procedures are formalized to ensure consistency.
Which is broader in scope, Policy or Procedure?
A policy is broader, setting guidelines, while a procedure is specific, outlining exact steps.
Do Policies need regular updating like Procedures?
Policies can be stable over time, while procedures might require updates for practical execution.
What happens if a Procedure contradicts a Policy?
Procedures should align with policies. If a contradiction arises, it needs to be addressed for consistency.
Can one Policy have multiple Procedures?
Yes, a single policy might have different procedures depending on the context or department.
Why are Procedures crucial for organizations?
Procedures ensure tasks are executed consistently, efficiently, and in alignment with policies.
Can employees suggest changes to Procedures?
Yes, employee feedback can lead to improved and more efficient procedures.
How does a Policy differ from a Procedure?
A policy is a set of guiding principles, while a procedure details the steps to implement the policy.
Can a Procedure exist without a Policy?
Typically, procedures are developed to support a policy, but they can exist independently for routine tasks.
Who generally drafts Policies and Procedures?
Senior management or specialized committees often draft policies, while procedures might be created by department heads or experts.
What's a common tool used for documenting Procedures?
Flowcharts or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) documents are commonly used.
Are Policies legally binding?
Some policies can have legal implications, especially in regulated industries, but not all are legally binding.
Why is it important to distinguish between Policy and Procedure?
Distinguishing ensures clarity in intent (policy) and action (procedure), ensuring effective implementation.
Is a company's mission similar to a Policy?
Not exactly. A mission provides overall purpose, while policies guide specific actions and decisions.
Do all businesses need formal Procedures?
While beneficial for clarity and consistency, the formality of procedures can vary based on the business size and nature.
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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.
