Creating effective governance documents is a nuanced task that requires careful consideration of the organization’s specific needs, goals, and regulatory environment. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential elements that should be included in every policy to ensure it is both effective and compliant.
Firstly, it is important to understand that policies are not one-size-fits-all documents. They must be meticulously tailored to the product, service, or area of operations they are designed to govern. This customization is vital to ensure that the policy is relevant, applicable, and actionable.
Despite the need for customization, certain universal building blocks are essential for any policy:
- Focus Area and Policy Statement: Every policy should begin with a clear statement outlining its focus area, the specific product, service, or operation it covers, and its purpose. This statement serves as the policy’s “elevator pitch,” providing a quick and concise overview of its intent and scope.
- Specific Goals: Policies should articulate the specific objectives they are designed to achieve. This clarity helps management implement the policy effectively and ensures that everyone is aligned and moving in the same direction.
- Oversight, Authority, and Responsibility: Given that most directors are not involved in day-to-day management, policies must designate a manager or officer with the authority to execute the policy’s objectives. This individual is also responsible for reporting on progress, challenges, and other pertinent information to the board.
- Back-up Authority: Recognizing that primary managers or officers may sometimes be unavailable, policies should assign a secondary authority to take over in such instances. This ensures continuity and prevents delays in critical decision-making processes.
- Changes and Exceptions: Policies should stipulate when and how discretion can be exercised in their implementation. This includes detailing who is allowed to make exceptions, under what circumstances, and what reporting is required for oversight.
- Impacted Business Units: Policies should clearly identify the departments or units they affect. This helps ensure that the relevant staff are aware of the policies that apply to them and reduces the risk of important policies being overlooked.
- Approval Frequency: To maintain their relevance and effectiveness, policies should be reviewed and re-approved at regular intervals. While some of this may be dictated by regulatory requirements, organizations should also consider their own needs and the dynamic nature of their operations.
- Approval Body: It should be clear which policies require board approval and which can be reviewed and approved by senior management. This clarity helps streamline the approval process and ensures that policies are vetted at the appropriate level.
- Recordkeeping Requirements: Good governance requires good recordkeeping. Policies should outline the documents and records that need to be retained, for how long, and in what format. This is crucial for audit, compliance, and oversight purposes.
- Accountability: Lastly, policies should clearly identify who is accountable for their implementation and enforcement. This might be an individual or a committee, but their role should be explicitly defined to ensure that there is ownership and responsibility for the policy’s success.
Incorporating these ten elements will significantly enhance the effectiveness of any policy document. By ensuring that policies are clear, tailored, and aligned with the organization’s goals and regulatory requirements, organizations can foster a culture of compliance and governance that supports their long-term success and sustainability.
