Developing Policies, Standards, and Guidelines

Question 1

Policies - Definition

Answer 1

1. Provides high-level guidance about expected behavior
2. Outline consequences when not followed.
3. Clear and concise.

Question 2

Standards - Definition

Answer 2

Tell people what is expected.

Question 3

Guidlines - Definition

Answer 3

1. Provide specific advice on how to accomplish a given task or activity.
2. How to accomplish Policies and Maintain standards.
3. Minimum contents:
   
   • Scope and Purpose.
   • Roles and Responsibilities.
   • Guideline Statements.
   • Operational Considerations.

Question 4

Policy - Scope Statement

Answer 4

1. Outlines what the policy intends to accomplish.
2. Which documents, laws, and practices the policy addresses.
3. Background info to help readers understand what the policy is about and how it applies to them.

Question 5

Policy - Overview Statement

Answer 5

1. Goal of the policy.
2. Why it’s important.
3. How to comply.

Question 6

Policy - Statement

Answer 6

1. Substance of the policy.
2. Clear and unambigous as possible.
3. Paragraph, bulleted lists, or checklists.

Question 7

Policy - Accountability Statement

Answer 7

1. Who (position, not a name) is responsible for enforcing the policy.
2. Who to contact if a problem is discovered.
3. Indicate consequences of non-compliance.

Question 8

Policy - Exception Statement

Answer 8

1. Specific guidance about the procedure or process that must be followed in order to deviate from the policy.
2. Escalation contact.

Question 9

Standards - Scope and Purpose

Answer 9

1. Explain or describe the intention.

Question 10

Standards - Roles and Responsibilities

Answer 10

1. Who is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining the standard.
2. Makes it clear who is responsible for accomplishing which tasks.

Question 11

Standards - Reference Documents

Answer 11

1. Explains how the standard relates to the organizations different policies.
2. Connects the standard to the underlying policies.

Question 12

Standard - Performance Criteria

Answer 12

1. Outlines how to accomplish the task.
2. Relevant baseline and technology standards.
3. Baselines - minimum or starting point for the standard.
4. Technology standard - info about the platforms and technology.

Question 13

Standards - Maintenance and Admin Requirements

Answer 13

1. Outline what is required to manage and administer the systems or networks.

Question 14

Guidlines - Scope and Purpose

Answer 14

1.

Question 15

Guidelines - Roles and Responsibilities

Answer 15

1. Which individuals or departments are responsible for accomplishing specific tasks.

Question 16

Guidelines - Statement

Answer 16

1. Step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish a specific task in a specific manner.

Question 17

Guidelines - Operational Considerations

Answer 17

1. Specify and identify what duties are required and at what intervals.

Question 18

3 Ways Guidlines Help and Organizaiton

Answer 18

1. If a process isn’t performed routinely, staff can forget how to do them. Guidlines can refresh their memory.
2. Written guidelines reduce the learning curve for new employees.
3. When crisis or high stress situation occurs, guidelines can keep you from coming unglued.