What do policies typically provide for an organization?

Policies typically provide a framework for decisions and actions within an organization. By establishing guidelines and principles, they guide employees in understanding how to respond to various situations, ensuring consistency and alignment with the organization's goals. This framework helps in fostering a coherent organizational culture where everyone operates under the same set of norms and expectations.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary purpose of policies. Specific tasks and project deadlines are usually outlined in operational plans or project management documents, not in policies. A record of past decisions might be documented in meeting minutes or reports but does not represent the proactive guidance that policies offer. Performance evaluations of staff are typically part of personnel management processes rather than being driven by overarching policies. Overall, policies are foundational elements that inform the overall conduct and decision-making processes within an organization.