This is my first post :)…..I am looking for a Table of Contents format for procedures. Our current system has procedures, work instructions and forms applicable to each area in a format tailored to each area. In other words, to find the process to do something you have to go thru several documents.:bonk: We want to restructure and have top level procedures (i.e. top level Control of Nonconforming Material, under this would be work instructions on each area’s responsibilities in the process). I tried a search and didn't have any luck. We are an AS9100 certified company and recently passed our re-cert audit with 0 findings. We do electrical and mechanical assembly and kitting. I read the posts almost daily and have learned a great deal. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

I do not believe that there is a requirement on how to structure your documents. You need to have a system that works for your organization!

I have seen the ftwo ollowing main methods used to structure documents:

Simply by number, with filtering by the department and section possible (i.e., excel filtering, Lotus notes, etc.)
Long names - XXX-YYY-111-222 - which can be used to highlight : Department, Section, Process #, Document #)


I think what is more important is standardizing how you identify documents. This will assist everyone in locating documents.

PS Congrats on making your first post!

This is my first post :)…..I am looking for a Table of Contents format for procedures. Our current system has procedures, work instructions and forms applicable to each area in a format tailored to each area. In other words, to find the process to do something you have to go thru several documents.:bonk: We want to restructure and have top level procedures (i.e. top level Control of Nonconforming Material, under this would be work instructions on each area’s responsibilities in the process). I tried a search and didn't have any luck. We are an AS9100 certified company and recently passed our re-cert audit with 0 findings. We do electrical and mechanical assembly and kitting. I read the posts almost daily and have learned a great deal. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.


For smaller companies, I recommend one procedure for each process you have defined in your quality system. If you have 14 processes, you would have 14 procedures with the same names. Put all important instructions in those procedures. They become a handbook for each process, and it makes finding information very easy. Then, make those forms, etc. needed to finish things up. Keep it simple, and you don't need a Table of Contents.

Hi,:bigwave:
In our end, we create a masterlist for each procedures, work instructions, etc. We have 6 columns: Column 1 - Document No / Procedure no; Column 2 -Title of the Document / Procedure; Column 3 - Originator / Author of the Document /Procedure; Column 4 - Revision No. ; Column 5 - Pages (No of pages of the Document); Column 6 - Remarks. This may vary according to your needs.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Raffy:cool:

This is my first post :)…..I am looking for a Table of Contents format for procedures. Our current system has procedures, work instructions and forms applicable to each area in a format tailored to each area. In other words, to find the process to do something you have to go thru several documents.:bonk: We want to restructure and have top level procedures (i.e. top level Control of Nonconforming Material, under this would be work instructions on each area’s responsibilities in the process). I tried a search and didn't have any luck. We are an AS9100 certified company and recently passed our re-cert audit with 0 findings. We do electrical and mechanical assembly and kitting. I read the posts almost daily and have learned a great deal. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

I've attached a sample of a format which I think addresses your needs as described. It is just one page of a 3-page Procedural Level document. As you can see, this Procedure just references all the applicable Work Instructions (and in this case, they are hyperlinked for easy access).

This format makes it easy for everyone to understand the "Key Processes" (a.k.a. Procedures), and where the "sub-processes" (a.k.a. Work Instructions)" fit in, without having to go to multiple documents.
Hope it helps,
Patricia Ravanello

Thanks to the people that responded. I was worried that no one would. I won't be as "shy of a poster" now and I have lots of questions. I read the responses and I know what I need to do to accomplish the latest task assigned by the boss (VP of Quality).