beslutspolicy

Beslutspolicy is a policy describing how decisions are made within an organization. The term is Swedish in origin and translates to “decision policy.” The policy clarifies who has authority to approve different types of decisions, the criteria to be used, and the processes for documentation, escalation, and review. Its purpose is to clarify decision rights, improve consistency, and ensure decisions align with strategy, risk management, and compliance requirements.

A typical beslutspolicy includes several elements. It defines the purpose and scope, terms and definitions, and the decision rights and authorities—often presented as a decision rights matrix or RACI-style mapping. It describes the decision process from proposal and analysis to approval and implementation, along with requirements for documentation and archiving. It also outlines escalation paths and timelines, risk and compliance considerations, and how decisions are communicated and made transparent. Procedures for periodic review and amendment are usually included to keep the policy up to date.

Implementation usually involves formal approval by senior leadership, clear communication to relevant stakeholders, and integration with governance, risk management, and project management practices. Decisions are commonly categorized by impact or threshold, with routine decisions delegated to teams and more significant ones reserved for higher levels of management.

Benefits of a beslutspolicy include clearer decision rights, improved accountability, faster and more consistent decision-making, and enhanced risk management. Potential drawbacks can include rigidity and administrative overhead if the policy is not regularly reviewed and kept aligned with organizational change.