10 rules to create work

instructions that work

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com

Rule #1

Effective work instructions are easy

to read, use and find.

Clearly written and concise

Use simple consistent language, consider adopting

the Simplified Technical English Standard (ASD-
STE100)

Easy to find, or else they're not going to be used

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #2

They are are consistent

Consistent in format, layout, content, and writing
style

Don't tolerate variations - standardise!

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #3

Work instructions that work

are sequential
Group complex work instructions into phases, and
then each phase consists of multiple related tasks.

If certain steps must really be performed in a

specific order and there is a risk that they could be
performed in a different order, then you need to
clearly communicate this in your work instruction.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #4

Work instructions should add value

Your work instructions should not include unneccesary
information.

They should be concise and focus on adding value by

providing information that is essential to the safe and
quality execution of a job.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #5

They are current, complete,

and continuously improved on
When work instructions are not kept current, they will
lose their value.

And it's not a matter of bureaucracy. It's just a matter

of trust.

If a technician follows a work instruction that's wrong,

they won't trust the next document that's put in their
hands.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #6

Work instructions that work

are visual when required
Make appropriate use of pictures and graphics

Do NOT fall in the trap of adding pictures and

diagrams everywhere in every step.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #7

They flag critical steps

Focus on the key risks that may prevent the job
from being performed safely or to required quality
standards

Incorporate appropriate conspicuous reminders in

order to ensure that critical steps are not forgotten

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #8

Work instructions that work

require verification
Incorporate adequate independent verification
steps at key points in the work instruction.

Verification and requiring a sign-off by a second

person are important tools to use, but you need to
use them very sparingly and only where it is really
required.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #9

Work instructions that work

are controlled documents
They are formally issued documents with a
document number, where revisions are controlled.

They're assigned off by someone for approval and

they are subject to formal change management.

This is about creating a system that minimizes

mistakes and errors, and creates a system that
people can trust.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Rule #10

Work instructions that work

are used in competency development
Your work instructions should be easily understood
by your new technicians. Train technicians using
these work instructions to develop competency in
your crew.

You want technicians signed off as competent by a

supervisor witnessing them doing the job detailed
in the work instructions.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé Next

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com
Stay tuned for
my next posts!
Drop me a message or
post your questions in the
comment below.

Brought to you by: Road to Reliability™ Erik Hupjé

©2022 R2 Reliability Pty Ltd www.roadtoreliabity.com