Policy is a:

A policy serves as a guiding principle or a set of rules designed to influence and determine decisions and actions within an organization or government. Its primary function is to provide a framework that ensures consistency, fairness, and efficiency in operations. Therefore, a policy is best defined as a plan of action. It outlines the intended course or method for achieving specific objectives, directing how various situations should be handled. While a policy might contribute to a strategy, strategy is typically a broader, overarching approach to achieve long-term goals, often encompassing multiple policies. A policy is more specific in guiding how things are done. Similarly, while policies 'give direction for motivation' by clarifying expectations and 'prescribe methods' by setting procedures, these are outcomes or components of a policy, not its fundamental definition. The core essence of a policy is the predetermined course or plan for action.