Can policy be procedures?

[Jen Kirley]

The Master of the Vessel is duly authorized to violate Corporate Safety Procedures if he/she feels it is mandatory for the safety of the crew, passengers, boat, etc.

In my view, that is none of the above (a procedure, or a policy with procedure embedded in it). It is an exclusion statement in whatever the name of that document was.

 

[darkafar]

So policy is actually part of company’s philosophy, guiding actions to achieve objectives. The difference between policy and other philosophy is that policy is more temporary. Did I get it right?

 

[harry]

The difference between policy and other philosophy is that policy is more temporary.

As Brad puts it, it is the rudder of the boat and the boat moves along the direction guided by the rudder. You need to change the direction of the rudder (and therefore the boat) in response to changes in the direction of the flow of water, direction of wind, etc.

In that sense, you are right. Policies change in response to market changes and needs.

 

[AndyN]

As Brad puts it, it is the rudder of the boat and the boat moves along the direction guided by the rudder. You need to change the direction of the rudder (and therefore the boat) in response to changes in the direction of the flow of water, direction of wind, etc.

In that sense, you are right. Policies change in response to market changes and needs.

Hence the requirement for Top Management to review the policy and objectives of the organization at Management Review............but I rather doubt if that's how most management in registered organizations actually see it

 

[Paul Simpson]

So policy is actually part of company’s philosophy, guiding actions to achieve objectives.

Policy is the definition of the company's philosophy. In an ISO 9001 system it is the documentation of that philosophy for quality.

The difference between policy and other philosophy is that policy is more temporary. Did I get it right?

Sorry, no.

Policy is more permanent than procedures or any other document in the system, it should be constant. You don't decide all of a sudden that customer satisfaction is not the most important part of your business! :mg:

The objectives and targets that arise from policy may (indeed should) change more frequently but the overriding beliefs of the organization should remain.

Occasionally the documented statement of policy might change if the scope of operation is referred to and changes. Similarly some organizations change their policy statement every year because they include objectives and targets in the statement - but the underlying policy (and beliefs) remains the same.