The difference between a policy and a directive lies in their focus: a policy explains what is expected and required, while a directive explains how to achieve it.
Policies and directives are formal instructions within organizations, particularly governmental or large institutions, designed to guide actions and ensure objectives are met consistently. While both are crucial for governance and operations, they serve distinct purposes.
According to the provided reference:
- Policies explain what deputy heads and their officials are expected to achieve. They are formal instructions that oblige departments to take (or avoid) specific action.
- Directives explain how deputy heads' officials must meet the policy objective.
In essence, policies set the goals and mandatory requirements ("the what"), while directives provide the practical steps and procedures to follow to meet those goals ("the how").
Key Differences Summarized
Here is a breakdown of the core distinctions:
| Feature | Policy | Directive |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | What is expected; What actions are mandatory/forbidden | How to achieve the policy objective |
| Role | Sets objectives, requirements, and boundaries | Provides practical steps, procedures, and methods |
| Scope | Broader, strategic guidance | More specific, operational instructions |
| Governs | Overall intent and mandatory outcomes | Methods for implementation |
| Reference | Explains what deputy heads and officials are expected to achieve; Formal instruction obliging action | Explains how deputy heads' officials must meet the policy objective |
Policy: Setting the Objective and Requirements
A policy serves as the foundation. It articulates the principles, goals, and mandatory requirements that deputy heads and their officials must adhere to. Think of a policy as stating the destination and the non-negotiable rules for the journey.
- Core Function: To establish expected achievements and mandatory actions.
- Authority: Often high-level, reflecting organizational values, legal requirements, or strategic priorities.
- Obligation: Policies are formal instructions that oblige departments to take (or avoid) specific action, as stated in the reference. This means non-compliance with a policy is typically a serious matter.
For example, a policy might state: "All government data must be securely managed to protect privacy." This sets the expectation (what needs to be achieved - secure data management) and creates an obligation.
Directive: Guiding Implementation
A directive, on the other hand, provides the detailed guidance on executing the policy. If the policy is the "what," the directive is the "how." It lays out the specific procedures, standards, and methods officials must use to meet the policy's objectives.
- Core Function: To explain how policy objectives must be met.
- Support: Directives support policies by providing the necessary steps for compliance.
- Detail: Directives are usually more detailed and operational than policies. They translate the policy's intent into actionable steps.
Continuing the example, a directive related to the data security policy might state: "To securely manage government data, officials must encrypt all sensitive data at rest and in transit, use multi-factor authentication for access, and store backups off-site using approved vendors." This provides specific instructions on how to achieve secure data management.
In summary, policies define the goals and mandatory requirements, while directives provide the methods and procedures to achieve those goals. Both are essential components of a structured governance framework.
