🦾 Standard opearting procedure

A set of instructions made by an organisation to help workers carry out tasks.

It's a document that provides clear-cut out directions and instructions as to how teams and members within an organisation must go about completing certain processes.

The difference between a SOP and a procedural document is process documentation is included. This provides a high level overview of the process in question.

Formats

• Step by Step – Sufficient to create a simple numbered or bulleted list of steps
• Hierarchical – Has subsets: 1a 1b 1c...
  • It provides extra detail Suitable when more instructions are needed
• Flow chart

Step-by-Step

• May be sufficient to create a simple numbered or bulleted list of steps
• This format should only be used when the process is straightforward, including:
  • Setup instructions
  • Digital login sequences

Hierachical

• Provides additional details within each step
• Whereas step by step lists as 1 2 3, hierachical lists as 1a 1b 2a `2b...
• This is used when more information is needed

Flow Chart

• Flowcharts are best used to illustrate SOPs when multiple outcomes are possible at certain points throughout the process.

Importance

• Ensures adherence to best practices
  • It ensures the team is always acting in the best interest of the organisation
  • It improves the changes of experiencing a positive outcome in a given situation
  • It minimses the chances of encountering obstacles throughout the process
• Ensures consistency
  • Enables your organisation to work the same way, no matter who is doing the task
• Enables proper onboarding and training
  • Will make employee onboarding easier
  • Improves how you train staff members
• Maintaines organisational knowledge

Includes

SOP's Include:

• Checklists
• Tutorials
• Process maps, diagrams or flowcharts
• Photos, screenshots, or illustrations
• Videos
• Policies