Why is it important to know the difference between Policy, Guideline and Best Practice?  The keyword is mandatory.   

Best Practice 

Best Practices are standards created by industries as the guiding principles to operate.  

For Example 

  • Agile Scrum 
  • PMI Project Management (PMBOK)  
  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) 

 Company often incorporate best practices to create their own internal guidelines or policies. 

Guideline 

A guideline would be a recommended way of performing work within the company.   

“The guideline to take a customer order on the phone are these 10 steps.” 

Policy 

A policy is created as a result of applying best practices or guidelines to become a mandatory requirement. 

“Customer orders on phone are being recorded” 

“In taking a customer order, the customer service rep. must take the following info and fill the required form.” 

“In order for the firewall rule to be implemented to PROD, a change ticket must be filed and be approved 5d before implementation day.” 

A Policy is mandatory, which means a policy may be subject to internal audit, industry compliance or legal compliance.  Failure to comply with a policy will result in consequences to the individual, stakeholder or the company. 

 Best Practices/ Guidelines/ policies could be all located in an internal company website or PMO website.  As companies may have different definitions for these 3 terminology mentioned, make sure you enquire and align the internal docs to the definitions presented here.   

 In Conclusion 

  

Best Practice:  Already created by the industry as a best Practice list of guidelines 

Guidelines:  Internal company recommended standards to follow 

Policy:  Mandatory processes and procedures that must followed.  Work performed could be audited and compliance is required. 

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