Standard Operating Procedures

Standard Operating Procedures
Jaap de Jonge, Editor, Netherlands

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) refer to instructions, normally written ones, that are intended to document how to perform a certain activity, process, etc. The key reasons why many companies or organization rely on SOPs is to help guarantee that consistency and a certain quality are maintained. SOPs can also be helpful when one wants to operationalize and communicate key corporate policies, government regulations and best practices.

BENEFITS OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
The main benefits from using SOPs are:

• CONSISTENCY / QUALITY: Helpful in workplaces that require strict procedures or adherence to a set of instructions to see to it that certain outcomes are attained.
• REFERENCE / LOOKUP: They will also serve as a good reference to employees who are required to follow a given set of procedures. Even the best employees sometimes forget something.
• TRAINING NEW EMPLOYEES: SOPs are also particularly helpful to train newly appointed employees.

One More Benefit of Standard Operating Procedures
nilakantan, Teacher, India, Member

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Standard Operating Procedures
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Templates for Mapping Activities, Process & Procedures in Standard Operating Procedures
P.J. Fitzpatrick, Consultant, Ireland, Member

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