How To Create A Policy And Procedure Document

Professional associations and government departments frequently publish policies and procedures as well as sample templates (for example, consider these tips for nonprofits and small businesses). Search online for samples that may be pertinent to your industry.

You can also use a template to save time and effort. Below you'll find nine free, downloadable, use-case specific templates to get started.

IT Policy and Procedure Template

IT Policy Template

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Clearly defined IT policies and procedures can prevent privacy and data breaches. After an IT security event, policies can aid in disaster recovery. Depending on the size of your organization, you may have one document or several documents. Consider adding guidance and steps to this Word template for software and hardware purchases and approved models and versions. Add your own device, visitor policy, password policy, security events, and any considerations pertinent to your company or organization.

Education Administration Policy and Procedure Template

Education Policy Template

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Higher education policies and procedures can apply to different groups, including staff, students, and visitors. Policies can set expectations for aspects of the job (such as behavior and course quality, or for tangibles (what equipment can be purchased, from what vendors, and with what process). Your institution may publish its own templates and style guide on its website. Use this template in Word to determine your needs.

Basic Policy and Procedure Template

Basic Policy Procedure Template

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This is a basic policy and procedure template that you can customize to include the sections and content best suited to your organization. The table of contents section will update as you add to the content in the rest of the document— simply click Update Table in the Table of Contents group on the References tab.

Change Management Policy Template

Organizational Change Management

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Managing change can be critical to the efficiency and success of your business. With this change management policy template in Word, you can describe the change, its scope, and the roles involved in the change. Detail change management risks, policies, and procedures.

Data Governance Policy Template

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This data governance policy template can be a crucial part of building policy for your organization. Data governance helps you figure out who has access to your data, your data usage particulars, how data is integrated, and how data is protected.

Key Remote Access Policy Elements Template

Remote Access Policy Template

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Increasingly, employees and other contributors wish to work off site or remotely. While this practice may enhance employee productivity, it presents extra considerations for network and data security. Use this checklist in Word to draft a remote access policy. Considerations include devices used remotely, locations of use, such as home or public areas, secure work areas, and more.

Onboarding Process Template

Onboarding Plan

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Onboarding, the process of bringing a new employee into an organization, can start with the recruiting process and continue well beyond the initial hiring — for example, to include notifying IT about access requirements and explaining company culture. This onboarding process template describes what to consider before an employee starts as well as what to think about during their first day, week, month, and at their three-month review.

Small Business Policy and Procedure Template

Small Business Policy Template

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Even if you only employ a few workers, you are still responsible for their safety and well-being as well as the security and maintenance of material assets. Customize this small business policy and procedure template in Word to suit your company. Be sure to consider policies and procedures that cover such things as harassment, non-discrimination, workplace safety, smoking and alcohol or drug use, and IT best practices and security.

Construction Policy and Procedure Template

Construction Policy Procedure Template

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One of the key aims of construction policies and procedures is to ensure worksite safety. Construction documentation provides for such things as employee safety training, inspections for hazards, and managing emergencies. Complete this template and train all employees in its provisions so all staff are prepared before an incident occurs.