How to write standard operating procedures: Values and a practical guide

Standard operating procedure (SOP) is detailed, written step-by-step instructions for achieving uniformity while performing specific tasks to minimize variations of repeated tasks and plays a key role in the implementation of a quality management system. It is a document that describes the procedures that will be followed to accomplish various tasks. The procedures are organic documents and best-written SOPs fail if they are not followed. Poorly written, unavailable, and inadequate SOPs hamper working processes and lead to non-compliance in the implementation of quality management systems. A well-crafted SOP offers clear direction and instruction that minimizes deviations at different times using different personnel. The SOPs should be user-friendly and describes the processes in the sequential manner in which they are intended to occur and thus leading to a logical flow of events. In this article, SOP writing is summarised in seven steps, namely (i) Preparing, (ii) Reviewing, (iii) Updating, (iv) Maintaining, (v) Distributing, (vi) Archiving, and (vii) Training.