Difference between Policy and Strategy

Key Difference:  Strategy is a comprehensive plan of action formulated or designed in order to achieve a particular goal. On the other hand, policy is a set of guidelines which help people to take appropriate decisions or act in a specific situation.

In business practices, policy and strategy play a vital role. Generally, they are thought to be similar in many ways. However, there are very different from each other even in their core definitions. Strategy and policy of an organization are both defined as key characteristics of a company, and therefore are used together many times in defining the nature of any organization as 'Strategy and Policy'. Strategy is like a roadmap which is generally made by the middle management.

This roadmap is prepared in order to ensure that an organization meets the set goals and objectives. It is important to mention that due to the involvement of middle management of the company in the formulation of a policy, it reflects their thinking and approach. Top management plays a guiding and controlling role. A strategy helps the organization to reach to the desired platform from the current platform.

On the other hand, policy is like a blueprint formulated for the routine types of activities.  It provides guidance in dealing with regular types of activities. Policies are also very important for any organization. It helps in answering the questions like what to do in a particular situation. Policies are implemented firmly as they work as a protocol.

Policy and strategy are different in many ways. Policies are generally framed by top management, whereas strategies are usually framed by middle management. Policy helps the lower management to deal with a routine type of problem without requiring any interference from the top management.

Policy deals with actions and thoughts, whereas strategy deals with actions more. Policies are rules for activities which are faced repetitively in an organization. On the other hand, strategy is formulated usually for dealing with a fresh objective or problem which has not been encountered or considered earlier. The process of strategy and policy formulation is similar. However, in formulation of the strategy it is more difficult to identify and analyze the factors associated with a problem.

Comparison between Policy and Strategy:

                                           

Policy

Strategy

Definition

Policy is a set of guidelines which help people to take appropriate decisions or act in a specific situation.

 

Strategy is a comprehensive plan of action formulated or designed in order to achieve a particular goal.

Framed by

Usually middle management

Usually top management

Deals with

Thoughts and Actions

 Primarily actions

Importance

  • It decides the long term health of an enterprise
  • It is all about taking crucial decisions
  • It is an official line adopted by an organization
  • It helps managers to take appropriate decisions
  • A good strategy can bring extraordinary results for an average company
  • It helps in dealing with threats in response to environmental forces and developments

Concerned activities

Routine/daily activities

Taking strategic decisions

Image Courtesy: inkace.com, datacandy.com

Most Searched in Computers and Internets Most Searched in Health
Most Searched in Education and References Most Searched in Games and Recreation
PETA vs ASPCA
qHD vs QHD
Knitting vs Crocheting
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Note II

Add new comment

Plain text

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.