Final answer:
Policies provide the guiding principles and objectives, while procedures give the detailed, actionable steps to implement these policies. Together, they ensure that an organization's goals are met in a consistent, effective manner.
Step-by-step explanation:
Policies and procedures are intimately connected, with policies providing the framework and guiding principles for action and procedures offering the step-by-step instructions to carry out specific tasks according to those policies. These procedural guidelines, or standard operating procedures, are designed to ensure consistency and compliance with the policies laid out by an organization or government. For example, after a policy is enacted, the implementation stage often involves the development of detailed procedures that bureaucrats and workers must follow for effective and legal execution.
In the public sector, policies reflect the broader strategy of the government's intent to address societal concerns, while procedures are developed to apply these policies in concrete and actionable terms. For instance, a policy might state an objective such as reducing pollution levels, while the procedures would detail how environmental inspectors should measure emissions and enforce regulations. This connection ensures that policies serve their purpose and are translated into actionable plans that can be implemented by individuals at all levels of an organization or government entity.