Policy

A policy is established as guiding rule(s) applied to a point in a system. This rule, or set of rules, is applied continually as time passes and even as circumstances change. It is critical to understand that policy has two components. The first is structure; the form of the equation and the corresponding set of links on the influence diagram. The influence diagram describes most influential concepts, factors, or forces acting and the interrelationships between them. The second is the parameters within a given structure. A policy specifies how actions should be taken in the information/action/consequences paradigm, noting an emphasis on the repetitiveness of the actions (Coyle, 1996: 222). Also see pressure point.