A successful business needs committed employees who are able performing the work procedures accurately and consistently. These employees are expected to get involved to share their experience, skill, and ideas to improve the organization’s performance. That’s why the standard operating procedure is a must if you want to succeed.
Every employee wants to perform a good job. Therefore the organization makes a channel to employee’s efforts which will bring benefit to the organization. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is made to ensure that involved employees perform their job precisely the same as instructed by the procedure, provides the direction to improve communication and work consistency.
A good SOP allows the employees to perform their job with confidence. Therefore The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is made in clear and brief words, emphasizes in critical point and safety which are easy to read and understand. The main parts to create one are The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) number, title, purpose, list of equipment or material used in the procedures, roles and responsibility, scope, procedure steps, summary, and revision history.
Following is the simple framework to create your The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
- Define the procedure
Determine the procedure to be written is necessary because it allows you to collect the information to meet the procedure requirement. It also recognize the critical and noncritical points to be listed in sequence.
- Identify the reader
Identifying the reader is necessary because it will influence your SOP effectiveness. Consider their experience and background in order to make them fully understand the SOP. Focus on the safety issues and steps that carry risk to draw their attention before telling how to perform specific step. Be accurate and consistent in using terminology to avoid misperception.
- Use tables and flowcharts
Mostly, visual description is easily understood. The use of tables and flowcharts will be very useful to describe the steps to perform.
- Reviewed by person in charge
When your SOP is set, then it should be reviewed by the authorized personnel for specific SOP, such as managers in related department or Quality Assurance. The SOP review covers its accuracy, the steps order, and details accuracy. These are to ensure the SOP meets the planned objectives. Any reviews or correction are submitted to the SOP author who is responsible for incorporating comments into a revised version. Then the revised SOP is approved by the SOP author and ready to be distributed and implemented.
The other important thing about established SOP is to ensure that the related personnel completely aware, fully understand, and capable conducting the SOP. Consider how their feedback, how well the SOPs are functioning, and any changes made due to SOP update.
Standard Operating Procedures are powerful tools to control work procedures. It is also an effective communication tools that contribute to worker understanding and job performance. SOP, when fully carried out, will develop the process which involve worker and managers in a collaborative way. Everyone will focus their abilities on doing the best job .
