guidelines
Rules to follow
Guidelines are recommendations or instructions that direct behavior or decision-making without being strict rules.
Unlike laws or regulations, guidelines suggest rather than mandate: The CDC issued new guidelines for indoor masking.
They establish standards while allowing flexibility: editorial guidelines, dietary guidelines, community guidelines.
To follow guidelines is to adhere to suggested best practices.
Proposed courses of action
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- tipsExtras for servers
- counselExpert guidance offered
- directionsGuidance for reaching somewhere
instructions · strategies · pointers · hints · consultation · coaching · mentoring · insight
Enforced rules and standards
- policiesAdopted courses of action
- proceduresSet methods for tasks
- requirementsNecessary conditions for something
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
criteria · mandates · standards · protocols · directives · bylaws · ordinances · statutes
Written instructions for use
- handbookCompact reference guide
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- playbookDocumented set of tactics
- rulebookCompiled official guidelines
cheat sheet · quick reference · FAQ · tutorial · checklist · template · overview · summary
Foundational beliefs of doctrine
- preceptsRules of conduct
- fundamentalsCore elements of something
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
maxims · axioms · canons · beliefs · convictions · ideology · teachings · foundations
Manner of behaving
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- decencyMoral appropriateness in behavior
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
fairness · accountability · responsibility · propriety · professionalism · transparency · confidentiality · impartiality
recommendations
Proposed courses of action
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- tipsExtras for servers
- counselExpert guidance offered
directions · instructions · strategies · pointers · hints · consultation · coaching · mentoring · insight · help
regulations
Enforced rules and standards
- policiesAdopted courses of action
- proceduresSet methods for tasks
- requirementsNecessary conditions for something
specifications · criteria · mandates · standards · protocols · directives · bylaws · ordinances · statutes · codes
manual
Written instructions for use
- handbookCompact reference guide
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- playbookDocumented set of tactics
rulebook · cheat sheet · quick reference · FAQ · tutorial · checklist · template · overview · summary
tenets
Foundational beliefs of doctrine
- preceptsRules of conduct
- fundamentalsCore elements of something
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
philosophy · maxims · axioms · canons · beliefs · convictions · ideology · teachings · foundations · cornerstones
conduct
Manner of behaving
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- decencyMoral appropriateness in behavior
honesty · fairness · accountability · responsibility · propriety · professionalism · transparency · confidentiality · impartiality · objectivity
- governancegovernance, government, democracy, vote, parliament
- adviceadvice, advise, tips, counsel, suggestions
- constraintsconstraint, limits, restrictions, deadline, restraints
- normsnorm, norms, standard, social norms, rule
- rules & ethicsethics, honor code, bylaws, protocol, etiquette
- rules & guidelinesmanual, handbook, protocol, specification, regulation
guidelineslaws
Enforceable societal rules
mandates · requirements · orders · commands · dictates
guidelinesfree rein
Unrestricted freedom to act
carte blanche · anarchy · autonomy · anything goes · blueprints
- health guidelinesOfficial recommendations for wellbeing
- community guidelinesRules for group behavior