Today's increasingly complex investment and regulatory landscape places greater pressure on investment committees and other fiduciaries overseeing defined contribution plans. Fiduciaries are not only re-examining their current investment decision-making practices, they are also seeking to ensure that those practices allow for enough flexibility in implementation to maximize the likelihood of investment success, while protecting the plan sponsor from potential litigation. Central to the idea of a well-managed program, a clearly articulated investment policy statement (IPS) serves as the foundation of sound governance and a robust oversight process.

This paper summarizes the key elements of an IPS and discusses the ways by which "great" policy design can ultimately drive a successful defined contribution plan.