Tips on How to Create a Standard Operating Procedure for Your Business
by Aditi Bansal
Updated on Monday, July 3, 2017
A SOP or (Standard Operating Procedure) is a detailed step-by-step guide that includes all instructions on how staffs in an organization should handle different specific tasks or situations that may arise in the course of business. A SOP is meant to ensure that only successful outcomes emerge from business tasks and to ensure that these outcomes are consistent regardless of who is assigned to them.
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Steps on How to Create Your Standard Operating Procedure:
Begin by writing down the goal or result that you expect that the standard operating procedure will complete
For instance, In case you are coming up with a SOP on how the office should be closed each business day, then your main goal should be to secure your office for the whole of the evening until the start of the next business day.
Come up with a rough draft of all the steps in your standard operating procedure in a concise and clear way
However, remember that you should also include as much information as possible so that any person that is performing the task carries out the instructions correctly. When writing all the steps in your SOP, it is important that you go through the actions to ensure that you haven’t missed including any vital information.
After you have completed writing your first standard operating procedure draft, test it yourself before launching by following all the steps and ensure that it’s complete
Proceed to make some important changes or revision to the steps if necessary.
Now test your standard operating procedure with someone you know or a trusted employee to see whether they can complete the standard operating procedure by following all the instructions
Prompt for feedback from the individual on which steps in the standard operating procedure that was not clear, missing, or hard to comprehend.
Using the feedback you have received from the tester, you can create the final draft
Include the feedback received. These are the final adjustments to your SOP when creating your final version.
Distribute the standard operating procedure to your employees
However, you can keep a hard copy of your SOP to bind together with other standard operating procedures, distribute as hard copies or via email, or post it on the company’s bulletin board.
Train your employees by holding meetings or training sessions
Go over all steps and answer questions regarding the new SOP.
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