Which statement best describes the function of a policy within an organization?

• A. Tells us what to do, not how to do it
• B. Guides to thinking, decision making and general statements that guise decisions
• C. Does not deal with specifics
• D. Intended to assist in the mission of the agency

Answer: (A)

Policies set the direction by stating what must happen in broad terms, establishing expectations and boundaries that guide decisions and behavior across the organization. They define the outcome or action required, but do not lay out the exact steps or methods to achieve it—that level of detail belongs to procedures or work instructions. This distinction is why the statement that policies tell us what to do, not how to do it, best describes their function: it captures the essential role of policy in prescribing the required action while leaving the specific implementation to be detailed elsewhere. The other options touch on related ideas—policies guide thinking and decisions, or support the mission—but they’re less precise about the primary function of specifying what must be done.