Procedure vs. Work Instruction (WI) - What is the difference?

[Jim Wynne]

In Reply to Parent Post by DMS_Discuss

I don't think I totally agree to that definition.
A good work instructions should also detail out who does what, when and how.
So, I would like to think WI and Procedure can be used interchangeably but I think WI is a better term.
Anybody disagree with me?

We can't see what it is you're referring to and don't totally agree with. It's helpful if you quote at least part of the post you're responding to; you can use the "Quote" button in that post to do so.

[Jen C]

Jumping into the discussion late! Accepting the views above about the differences between SOPs and WIs (level of detail, single function vs. cross-function, etc.), what are your thoughts about the content/headings that would be in each document type? It seems to me that they really would contain the same kinds of information (e.g., Scope/Purpose, Responsibility, Safety, Materials/Reagents/Equipment, Procedure, Analysis Methods, Acceptance Criteria...). Do you think it's appropriate to use similar document outlines for the two types?

[fulgore90]

In Reply to Parent Post by Jen C

Jumping into the discussion late! Accepting the views above about the differences between SOPs and WIs (level of detail, single function vs. cross-function, etc.), what are your thoughts about the content/headings that would be in each document type? It seems to me that they really would contain the same kinds of information (e.g., Scope/Purpose, Responsibility, Safety, Materials/Reagents/Equipment, Procedure, Analysis Methods, Acceptance Criteria...). Do you think it's appropriate to use similar document outlines for the two types?

IMHO, I think it could work but it's not really necessary.

In our work instructions we only consider Scope, Purpose and the instructions (or steps). The instructions (or steps) ussually describe Who, How and With What the process will be performed. So, put separated headings or bullets for Responsibility, Safety, Materials/Reagents/Equipment, etc. could be redundant 'cause it was described in the instructions.

[ssz102]

procedure is describe the flow of all process, such as handling customer complaints flow and release ECN process, these documents marking responsibility and dept and purpose and scope
work instruction is describe the details contents for operation step

[Jen C]

Thanks to both of you - maybe I wasn't clear enough with my question, though.

I understand the difference between SOPs and WIs.

What I'd like to know is: what required information/headings do each of them have, in your experience?

For SOPs, I use the categories I listed above (Scope/Purpose, Responsibility, Safety, Materials/Reagents/Equipment, Procedure, Analysis Methods, Acceptance Criteria). Obviously, for different companies, more or fewer headings may be appropriate. But is there anything *different* that would be required for a WI?

In other words, if I'm providing templates for an SOP and a WI, would those templates basically look the same, but just contain different amounts of detail?

[Jim Wynne]

Everyone does it differently, and no one way is necessarily better than any other. There's a fine line between the right amount of information and unnecessary clutter. The latter state seems to be very popular. I prefer a minimalist approach, but that might not work for you.