Defining Policy and Procedures Part 4

Today is part 4 of our Defining Policy and Procedures which will discuss guidelines and work instructions.  Guidelines “are the steps that are taken to achieve objectives and implement policies. Guidelines clarify what should be done and how.” (ISO) While this may sound like a procedure, it’s not the same. Procedures are mandated and provide required consistency. Guidelines are not

As a records officer, you have probably encountered the terms: policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and processes, in relation to records management. Often these words are used interchangeably, but they each have different roles and degrees of detail in managing record information. This post is the first in a four-part series to discuss the meaning and application of these terms. Records

Four proposed general retention schedules were heard by the State Records Committee today. Each of these general schedules were previously posted on this blog for your input. The Official Policy and Procedure Records schedule was approved, but “official” was removed from the title. Operational Policy and Procedures was not approved. Vital Records was approved with no changes. Grievance and Discipline

As part of the General Schedule Update Project, the Utah State Archives is proposing three new schedules for your consideration. We would like these to be submitted to the State Records Committee’s January 8th meeting. The first two are Policy and Procedures. The goal is to clearly define what policies and procedures are historical and which have only an administrative