The National Quality Policy should contain the broad-based sections:
POLICY VISION/GOAL
The Vision or Goal that is to be achieved through the implementation of the policy by the end of the specified period of time has to be clearly articulated. The Policy Vision/Goal should be a tough one, but should be achievable. It is sometimes also described as the Impact the implementation of the policy will have. A short, concise and hard-hitting Policy Vision/Goal goes a long way to concentrate the minds of everybody involved as to what ultimately is to be achieved through the implementation of the National Quality Policy – it should be the rallying point for all the objectives, outcomes and measures of the policy.
POLICY OBJECTIVES
Policy objectives describe what is to be achieved for the benefit of the country, the society or the environment by the end of the policy implementation period. The objectives are the stepping stones leading up to the policy vision/goal. In particular, the objectives may include new infrastructure, new systems, new processes or procedures, newly-acquired knowledge, enhanced skills, better employment opportunities or changed attitudes. It is good practice to limit the objectives to four or five main objectives in order not to dilute the focus of the policy implementation.
POLICY OUTCOMES
Policy outcomes describe in detail what is to be achieved as a result of the policy implementation. The outcomes should be specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented and time-bound targets for accomplishing the policy vision/goal.
POLICY MEASURES
The policy measures describe the concrete actions that are required to achieve the policy outcomes or objectives. Therefore, policy measures should not be seen in isolation and should always be in line with relevant WTO agreements. In particular, policy measures address the problem, challenge or issue that is identified as the obstacle to attaining the overall policy vision/goal.
Hence, measures will be the indicative outputs of the policy. The policy measures serve as a basis to identifying specific action steps which need to be taken to implement the policy measures. These steps are detailed in the implementation plan/strategy. Typically, the section relating to policy measures will be the most detailed section of the policy document.
