What are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)?

Standard Operating Procedures. For achieving the required level of quality, the desired sequence of work, Effectiveness and efficiency need a document that defines everything step by step production process.

The basis for answering the question “how to do it?” is given by standard operating procedures. They also respond to a more complex one. The question is “how did we do it before?”.

These procedures can be used wherever production processes must be documented. Verbal instructions with time distorted and easily forgotten, so to maintain stability and All processes should be documented.

It may Includes in Standard Operating Procedures

Based on these standard procedures allow you to find out how things went before, that ensures efficient exchange of information within and between different levels of management of the company.

So that different people perceive the procedure in the same way, standard characters should be used:

Pictures, texts, tables, diagrams, and other visual symbols.

Being collective language of communication, procedures can be used to manage and control changes during process optimization. Fixing the optimal way to perform a particular work in the procedure makes it possible to regularly make changes and improvements in a form that will provide them bringing it to everyone.

For storing and protecting all process records must be used appropriate methods. Records should be archived with information. That is difficult or impossible to restore and which is important to ensure uninterrupted operation of the organization.

When there are risks to the business standard procedures will serve as a means of protection, giving answers to emerging questions. If important issues are not fixed in the procedure. They will remain in the memory of only a few employees and may well be lost or distorted after a certain time.

Try to make simple !

Standard Operating Procedures should become simple, as clear as possible, useful a tool, not an extra load. All information contain in the procedures and necessary for the correct performance of work. From the first time should be assembled in all divisions of the company.

The ultimate goal of the procedures is documentation. The optimal way of performing work in relation to each specific situations in a certain enterprise with its materials, people, equipment and Location. In other words, the procedure is develop for each process individually. This is a guarantee that the work is really done the most appropriate of all possible methods. (At least not yet received another proposal for its improvement).

In any organization of change affecting people, products, procedures, services, and management systems are a very complex process. But with practical implementation lean production cannot do without them.

In this case, the level is important. the complexity of the upcoming changes, and the standard operating procedure becomes a simple tool for their implementation and maintenance.

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