STANDARD OPERATING

PROCEDURES
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
DEFINITION
• A Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) is a set
of written instructions
that document a routine
or repetitive activity
followed by an
organization.
3 A “GOOD” STANDARD
OPERATING PROCEDURE
• Should provide all the information necessary to perform a
task
• Is usually specific to the equipment used for the procedure
• Should be detailed
• Should “stand alone”
• Should provide Quality Control information
• Should provide References
4 BAD “STUFF” IN AN SOP

• DON’T generalize in a technical procedure.

• DON’T assume that the reader knows the process.
• DON’T refer to a method or analysis for most of the
procedure steps.
• DON’T ramble on about unnecessary things. Be concise.
5 UGLY SOPS

• No Title Page
• No Revision Numbers or Approval Signatures
• No Table of Contents
• No Page Numbers
• No Quality Control (in a technical SOP)
6 TYPICAL STRUCTURE FOR SOPS

• Technical SOP
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Procedures
• Quality Control and Quality Assurance
• Reference Section
7 SOP STRUCTURE CONTINUED

• Administrative SOP
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Procedures
• Quality Control and Quality Assurance
• Reference Section
8 THANK YOU!