directives
Commands from above
Directives are official instructions or orders issued by an authority.
A government issues directives to agencies; a supervisor gives directives to staff.
The word implies formal communication requiring compliance: The directive came down from headquarters.
In computing, directives are instructions that guide how code is processed.
The singular directive works as both noun and adjective: a directive tone, EU directive on data privacy.
Instructions to obey
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- decreesOfficial orders with force
- edictsAuthoritative public commands
- dictatesGives authoritative commands
proclamations · fiats · injunctions · ultimatums · diktats · behests · charge · precepts
Formally enacted laws
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- ordinancesLocal government rules
- codesSystems for secrecy
bylaws · provisions · standards · protocols · norms · requirements · compliance · mandates
Written instructions for use
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
- how-toPractical instruction format
- guidebookReference for travelers
- handbookCompact reference guide
protocol · procedure · blueprint · checklist · steps · workflow · walkthrough · demonstration
Guidance on decisions
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
pointers · counsel · briefings · orientation · navigation · strategy · steer · lead
orders
Instructions to obey
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- decreesOfficial orders with force
- edictsAuthoritative public commands
dictates · proclamations · fiats · injunctions · ultimatums · diktats · behests · charge · precepts · summonses
statutes
Formally enacted laws
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- ordinancesLocal government rules
codes · bylaws · provisions · standards · protocols · norms · requirements · compliance · mandates · policies
manual
Written instructions for use
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
- how-toPractical instruction format
- guidebookReference for travelers
handbook · protocol · procedure · blueprint · checklist · steps · workflow · walkthrough · demonstration · specifications
advice
Guidance on decisions
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
roadmap · pointers · counsel · briefings · orientation · navigation · strategy · steer · lead · framework
- lawslaws, statute, ordinance, acts, statutes
- government administrationpublic administration, government agencies, ministries, civil servants, public officials
- government recordspublic records, legal records, presidential records, state laws, federal contracts
- EU lawTreaty of Rome, acquis communautaire, transposition, infringement, subsidiarity
- EU ParliamentEuropean Parliament, MEPs, MEP, plenary, committees
- military publicationsStars and Stripes, Proceedings, maintenance manuals, field manuals, training manuals
directivessuggestions
Proposed ideas or advice
recommendations · proposals · requests · advice · hints
directivesanswers
Reactions to queries
responses · feedback · reports · replies · submissions
directivesprinciples
Foundational moral beliefs
values · philosophies · visions · frameworks · orientations
- prime directiveSupreme governing principle
- healthcare directivesInstructions for future medical care
- advance directivesDocumented healthcare preferences beforehand
- medical directivesFormal healthcare decision documents
- government directivesOfficial policy commands
- advanced directivesPredetermined medical care instructions