Difference between Rules and Methods

For doing organizational activities, rules and methods are very important. The difference between rules and methods tells about the way in which a manager makes a decision about the guidelines and the best and cheapest way to do the work to accomplish the task.

Meaning of Rules:

Rules are specific instructions and must be followed by every individual of the organization. These rules are spelled out to make the discipline in the organization and tells about what is wrong and what is right. In other words, we can say that rules are prescribed guides for action.

Features of Rules:

1. Rules are specific instructions or codes of conduct.
2.  Tells about do' and do not.
3.  Simple to understand.
4.  Compulsory for all.
5.  Cannot be changed by any person.

For example, there can be a rule: No smoking in the organization, do not drink at work, etc. Employees of the organization cannot change these statements. Basically, these rules generally guide the employees to maintain the decorum and healthy environment of the organization. 

Meaning of Methods:

Methods can be defined as the systematic way of doing repetitive jobs. Managers decide in advance that in which method the work should be done and they circulate the message to the employees for doing the work with the decided method.

Features of Methods:

1. Methods act as a guide for action.
2. These methods are helpful for the employees to do the operations/activities in a systematic manner.
3. Methods can be different according to the specialization of work, if there are two departments(production and sales) in an organization the method of going the work in the sales department may differ from the production department's activities.
4.  Accurate methods of doing the work save time, money and helps in increasing work efficiency.

The Chart of difference between Rules and Methods

Points of differences	Rules	Methods
Meaning	Rules tell about what to do or not to do.	Methods describe the best way of going the work.
Nature	These are specific statements.	Methods are specific according to the nature of work and these can be changed as per the requirements.
Description	It gives the instructions to do the right things and avoid bad things.	Methods help in co-ordination the activities.
Purpose	The rule is a guide to the behavior of subordinates in the organizations.	Methods tell about the standardization.
Example	No smoking at working place.	For example, the direct or indirect method only used to calculate the depreciation
Sources	Result of Managerial thinking	Result of Experiments and Research
Objective	Rules help in maintaining discipline.	The objective of Methods is to simplify the job

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Conclusion:

Thus, rules are spelled out to make the discipline in the organization and tells about what is wrong and what is right. In other words, we can say that rules are prescribed guides for action. On the other hand, Methods define the systematic way of doing repetitive jobs. We can say the rule and methods are playing a vital role to enhance the productivity of the organization.

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