Commitment level
Commitment level determines the binding effect of publications. The large variety of guidelines within an organization require clarity for the target groups and how to deal with the respective publication. The implementation of commitment level should be done the same way as for confidentiality notices, i.e., stamps, a reference in the imprint, or the document's beginning. All documentations that will be provided with such bindingness should be accessible for the intended target group.
Levels of reliability consist of three levels: Mandatory, desired, and voluntary.
- Mandatory
Documents that have to be obeyed, so-called directions, are binding for the target group. Violations are punished with defined sanctions, e.g., punishments of all kinds. This includes especially laws, work instructions, rules, and the like. These documents become mandatory by adopting an appropriate committee, e.g., legislator, standardization organization, and certification company.
- Desired
Desired documents describe suggested behavior, so-called recommendations. Due to less bindingness, these are not furnished with a set of punishments. Nevertheless, the lack of attention can lead to a negative, uncooperative impression resulting in unofficial consequences. Desired documents are mainly best practices as well as methods and procedures that are not mandatory. Appropriate optimization committees publish selected documents. After successful usage, desired approaches can be made compulsory.
- Voluntary
Voluntary documents are hints that provide information worth knowing. These documents are not binding and facilitate the exchange of information, e.g., articles, brochures. Depending upon leadership style, this information can be published by individuals or through an appropriate publication procedure. If these publications become over time a recommendable procedure, they get the status of a higher commitment level.