(i). Only a few people usually designated by virtue of their offices are empowered to make decisions on behalf of others.
(ii). It is a complex act because of the large number of institutions and interests, which compete for attention in the democratic system.
(iii). It is an incremental affair involving a large number of junior to middle ranking officials who take decision on the basis of guiding principles.
(iv). It is made within an organizational context. The organization may be complex or simple, but there is bound to be an organization. This means that policy making in a hierarchical or structural affair and that decision-making is an authoritative action involving someone or groups with the final stamp of authority on policy choices.
(v). policy making usually entails interaction with a variety of external interest groups, such as political parties, economic interest groups, religious groups, etc. the content, closeness and timing of these interactions is an important subject for impirical investigation.
(vi). Policy making is made up of various components or parts. The sub-structures mostly involved in public policy making constitute the political institutions of a society.
(vii). Public policy making is directed at the future and because the future is so uncertain, actual policy making tends to formulate policies in a vague and elastic term to be continuous so as to adjust policy to whatever the new fact may be; to seek defensibility and therefore to adopt policies that will probably not have unforeseeable results.
(viii). Policy making is a dynamic process which changes with time and actors. What is regarded as a public policy at a point in time may not meet the requirements of public policy at another time. This is because the system of value and behaviour which characterizes a public policy changes continually in content and process. Its actors and manipulators are subject to change as well. This dynamism and fluidity are essential and common attributes of all policies.
(ix). Finally, a good public policy must always be in the public interest, must not favour any group, section or individual intentionally.