When you sit down to write an SOP (or Standard Operating Procedure), you're not writing a New York Times non-fiction bestseller. You're writing a document for your coworkers. Your goal should be to convey all of the most important information, while leaving out the fluff.
Here are the most important details that you should include in your SOP:
Purpose and Scope:
- State the purpose of the SOP.
- Define the scope, indicating what is covered and what is not.
Responsibilities:
- List roles and responsibilities of individuals or departments involved in the procedure.
Materials and Resources:
- Enumerate any equipment, materials, software, or documents needed.
Procedure:
- Detailed, step-by-step instructions. Be clear and specific.
- Include safety warnings or precautions where necessary.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control:
- Describe how the process will be monitored for accuracy and compliance.
Documentation and Records:
- Detail any records that must be maintained, including how and where they are stored.
References:
- List any external documents, standards, or regulations that are relevant.
Appendices (if necessary):
- Include any additional information, forms, or checklists used.
All of these details can be rattled off to PlaybookWriter, and it will transform them into a concise, step-by-step SOP using AI.
Of course, another critical element of SOPs is maintaining a revision history. You should know when changes are made, along with who made those changes. Processes evolve over time, and so should your documentation of those processes. PlaybookWriter handles this change tracking as well.