Information Services Policy Library

Developing Policy

Policy development is to be in accordance with the IS Policy on Policies.

Determine Whether the Document Belongs in the Policy Library

The Policy Library currently manages policy documents that have been endorsed by the Information Services Executive.  The scope of the policy may be within Information Services only, or it could be University wide.

A policy document should, by its nature, be a document that embodies a broad statement of principle that mandates actions or constrains actions to attain required organisational outcomes and/or meet legislative or regulatory requirements. A policy acts as a statement of intent for the University and forms the basis of decision making.

Policy Development and Approval Process

Policy development follows these broad stages to ensure adequate consultation with stakeholders and adherence to approval protocols:

  1. Responsible Director or Manager of policy area contacts Manager, Information Policy to advise initiation of a policy.
  2. Manager of policy area drafts Policy Statement, Policy Rationale, Authority Statement and an impact statement outlining potential impact on other groups or individuals. These are brief, succinct documents. (See Guidelines for completing Policy template for assistance with this task.)
  3. This preliminary document is submitted to IS Executive for ‘in principle’ approval.
  4. Manager initiating policy seeks input from any groups or individuals affected by the policy.
  5. If required, Manager initiating policy seeks advice from other groups who may contribute expertise to the review process, e.g. Legal Services, IT-Security.
  6. Director of program initiating policy appoints a person or working group to draft the policy in accordance with the standard template.
  7. Completed policy is submitted to Information Policy group for review for conformity to conditions of Information Policy Library.  Policy documents can be submitted to policy-library@unimelb.edu.au.
  8. Information Policy Office will make any necessary minor editorial changes and submit policy to IS Executive for final approval.
  9. Information Policy group deposits approved policy in IS Policy Library and alerts appropriate business owners and other stakeholders.
  10. Policy is evaluated by business owner.
  11. Information Policy group alerts business owner of the need for review after a period of review.
  12. Policy is reviewed after a period of 2 years. Major amendments are put to IS Executive for approval.
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