A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a composed direction portraying how a normal assignment is to be done; when, where and by whom. SOPs assume a fundamental part in consistent quality assurance and guaranteeing best practice for your organisation, keeping in mind the end goal to help you in securing the quality of your production or services. The usage of SOPs, which are particular to your production facility, will push you to:
- Ensure quality and consistency of products.
- Ensure good practice is achieved at all times.
- Utilize the expertise of all personnel effectively.
- Provide assurance of staff understanding of processes to be followed in all areas of the facility, especially the production area.
- Facilitate delegation of appropriate tasks to trained members of staff.
- Provide role clarification for all members of staff.
- Provide staff training.
Why Write an Sop for Production
SOPs are utilized within an assortment of industries running from manufacturing, construction, health care services, information technology, accounting, human resources, and so on). Actually, such huge numbers of industries use standards that there are beyond any reasonable amount to list. The world is awash in standards. So why write a standard operating procedure for production.
Procedures Are About the Business Process
Maybe if everything constantly is executed as arranged then we would not require procedures, but this isn’t the situation in reality. A SOP or Standard Operating Procedure for production is utilized to guarantee business terms are carefully followed, that each task in a procedure is played out a similar way without fail, and essential data is recorded, alongside blunders or deviations so the right move can be made. When we utilize procedures we enable ourselves to learn.
Procedures Are About Learning
We use procedures to plan out expectation of the process (Plan), gather data (Do), check the data against our expectations (Check), and after that make corrective action (Act) on what we have realized. This is the learning circle or PDCA in real life. PDCA is the premise of process learning and continuous improvement.
How to Write a Standard Operating Procedure for Production
A standard operation procedure for production commonly characterizes the procedures important to keep up and use production systems with the goal that product meets the industry standards. Utilizing these procedures, your staff can finish work dependably, reliably and securely.
1. Identify the SOP’s Needed by Your Organisation
Make a list of SOPs required to give directions on testing, task, analysis, filing and support. See who needs to contribute to creating the SOPs and who needs approve the reports. Set up a survey procedure, and record when and how modifications happen. SOPs should be assessed regularly, for example, once in 2 years.
2. Find a Template for Your Industry
Download a sample/template document from a reference library site made by an association in your industry or make your own sample format suitable for your organisation.
3. Create a Title Page for Each Procedure
List the entire title. Every procedure should have an explaining title and number. For instance, name procedures identified with work force with the letters “HR” for Human Resources. Compose a short outline portraying the purpose behind the procedure and some other related procedures. List the essential equipment and general security directions. Give particular model numbers or software version, if material. Incorporate references to supplementary utilization manuals. List the name of the author and the date of the document. List the name of the individual who can favour this procedure and the date of approval.
4: Create Pages Containing Detailed Instructions
Mention the data of approval or a version number on every page. Include the SOP number and determine the category on each page also. At the bottom of each page, mention the current page number and the total number of pages in the report.
5: Archive the Document Once You Have Verified Its Accuracy
Make duplicates for the appropriate personnel and make sure everybody on your staff gets training on the most proficient method to retrieving, utilize and give input on the standard operating procedures. For instance, make an organisation internet website so you can transfer, list and enable access to your records. Monitor access to your documents. Look at logs and output produced by the execution of every procedure to guarantee conform complies with your documented standard operating procedure for production.