Document Hierarchy
1. Laboratory Policy
Laboratory policies are top-level documents that provide guidance to the laboratory. These documents are the expression of the Director's management philosophy and are the management documents for the laboratory. These policies are developed and approved by the Director with the assistance of the Associate Director for Administration.
All policy documents reside in the Fermilab Policy Manual, which is a controlled document. Subordinate documents implement the Director's policies and are the responsibility of the Division/Section Heads. It is the responsibility of the Division/Section Heads to ensure that all sub-ordinate documents developed by the Divisions and Sections are consistent with and in support of the Director's policy.
2. Programs
Program documents are developed by the Division/Section Heads to implement the policies formulated by the Director. These programs may be laboratory-wide if necessary or directed to specific activities as required. Programs consist of statements of strategies and objectives, and methods to accomplish policy objectives as stated by the Director in the Fermilab Policy Manual. Line management is responsible for the implementation of the programs.
3. Program Implementation Plans
Program Implementation Plans identify Division/Section organization, responsibilities, and resources that are necessary to accomplish the objectives of the Division/Section programs. The plans are developed by Division /Section personnel and are reviewed by Division/Section Heads for consistency with laboratory programs. They are approved by Division/Section Heads.
4. Procedures
Procedures are dated, detailed step-by-step courses of action for carrying out policy or program elements. Laboratory-wide procedures will be developed where a standard approach throughout the laboratory is deemed the best course of action. These procedures will be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Division/Section Head. If they are laboratory-wide in scope they will be approved by the Director or his designate. For example, Laboratory-wide procedures have been established for obtaining protective footwear and eyewear.