Difference Between Policy Making and Decision Making

Policy Making and Decision Making are core processes in governing and managing organizations. Although they both involve making choices about actions, they have unique aspects such as their focus, scope, impact, complexity, time frame, and examples.

Difference Between Policy Making and Decision Making

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for successful planning, execution, and assessment of actions to meet the needs of society and organizational goals. Let's explore these differences to better comprehend each process.

What is Policy Making?

Difference Between Policy Making and Decision Making

First, let's understand the term "policy" in order to better understand what is Policy Making? A course of action or guiding concept that is approved and suggested by the administration of any organization, the state executive branch, or the government itself is referred to as a "policy."

Policy-making can be understood as the process of creating a policy or policies based on the concept of policy. It is typically characterized as the creation of concepts or strategies that the government or an organization uses. It also describes the act or procedure of organizing or preparing a specific course of action that the government or an organization will follow.

The act or process of drafting laws or regulations is included in the high-level policy-making process of government. An illustration of this is when the executive, usually the president and the cabinet, creates a law that restricts smoke or particular kinds of criminal activity. Enhancing the quality of life for citizens, addressing economic and social issues, regulating businesses and industries, and ensuring state development are the objectives of Policy Making.

Improving citizens' lives through the assessment of client requirements and the necessary targeting of policy actions is the main objective of Policy Making. Policy Making is the process by which the government converts its political vision into programs and activities that produce the intended "outcomes," even if the ideas originate from outside the government.

Policy Making Cycle

  1. Problem Identification:
    In this step, an issue is identified, and we figure out why it's happening and what's needed to solve it. Then, decide if something needs to be done by the government to fix it.
  2. Policy Formulation:
    In order to solve the problem and satisfy the requirements and expectations of the impacted population, a number of scenarios must be outlined. A cost-benefit analysis is usually the basis for an alternatives appraisal, which assesses the benefits and drawbacks of various solutions.
  3. Decision-making:
    Typically, the best course of action is selected by political leaders or top management, following discussions with relevant parties who will be directly impacted whenever feasible.
  4. Implementation:
    When managers check how well things are going according to the plan, they start putting the plan into action. They follow the steps they agreed upon and keep an eye on how everything is going the whole time.
  5. Evaluation:
    This step is about checking if the plan worked to fix the problem and satisfying the demands of the impacted population.

Participation in Policy Making

Government policies now prioritize involving and empowering service users, making it increasingly important to listen to and address their perspectives in the planning and provision of Social Security.

  1. Statement
    The goal of the DSS is to improve and shape social security delivery, with service consumers at its core. The DSS works tirelessly to give clients the tools and encouragement they need to engage in the policy-making process.
  2. Service User
    The word "service user" also acknowledges a diversity of individuals in our society who may have varied requirements and worries and who may be classified according to age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, handicap, sex, etc.
  3. User Involvement in the Policy-Making Process
    The DSS aims to create regulations that address people's needs and are appropriate for their situation. The purpose of including service users in the policy-making process is to:
    • Make sure that the participation of service users in the formulation of policies is handled consistently.
    • Encourage the inclusion of service users in the policy-making processes inside the organization.
    • Permit service users to play a significant part in the Policy Making.
  4. Public Consultation
    To better understand the decision-making process, consultation involves getting the opinions of people who are not involved in it. Written consultations and online consultations are the two primary modes of consultation.

The Three Phases of Public Consultation:

  1. Open Consultation: At this point, comments are being accepted from the general public.
  2. Closed Consultation: All comments will now go through a moderation process to be reviewed.
  3. Publication of Feedback and Outcome Report: At this point, the public consultation has come to an end. This is the point at which the public can access the chosen comments as well as an in-depth analysis of the results.

What is Decision Making?

Difference Between Policy Making and Decision Making

Decision Making is procedure of deciding what to do, collecting information, and analyzing your options. It also represents a decision that was made after careful thought. However, the traditional definition refers to the mental process (cognitive process) of choosing an appropriate choice or plan of action from a range of available options.

In the framework of governance, decision-making is a crucial component of a government's duties. It is the procedure by which the government decides on the most sensible and appropriate course of action in a given circumstance. The President, the Prime Minister, and the cabinet of ministers usually participate in decision-making within the government. For instance, a government bill requires a majority vote in the legislature to be approved and enacted.

Difference Between Policy Making and Decision Making

AspectPolicy MakingDecision Making
1. DefinitionThe process of crafting guidelines or rules for guiding actions.The process of selecting between different options or alternatives
2. ScopeUsually involves broader, overarching goals and objectivesOften pertains to specific situations or individuals with immediate outcomes
3. ImpactAffects a wide range of stakeholders and may have long-term implicationsImpacts specific scenarios or individuals, leading to immediate results
4. ComplexityOften requires thorough research, analysis, and consensus-buildingIt can be less complex and more direct in comparison
5. Time FrameTypically, a lengthy process spanning months or even yearsIt can be relatively quick, depending on the context and urgency
6. ExamplesDeveloping policies on healthcare, environmental regulations.Making decisions on vendor selection, hiring personnel.

Conclusion

Policy Making and Decision Making are two different processes, each with unique goals and traits. Creating guidelines or norms to handle more general challenges and objectives is known as policy making. However, Decision Making is about choosing the best course of action from a range of options. Although both procedures are vital to corporate management and governance, it is critical to understand how they differ in order to plan and carry out activities that effectively meet organizational goals and societal needs.






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