Bullet Points vs Numbered lists

Th examples

MissTSmith said:

I am updating some SOPs and have a question on numbering for the Reference Documents and Record/Templates sections
My documents are not standardized (bullet points vs numbering) so not sure which is okay or if it is just personal preference..

6.0 Reference Documents

• 7600-0011 - WI - Supplier Corrective Action Requests,
• 7600-0009 - WI - Receiving

vs

6.0 Reference Documents
6.1 7600-0011 - WI - Supplier Corrective Action Requests,
6.2 7600-0009 - WI - Receiving

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

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I bolded the line above because what the OP is asking about is preference within a list of documents, and that list happens to be within an SOP. As a list of documents, I do not see a need for numbering. The OP is not asking about bullets vs. numbering in SOP instruction sequence steps.

Tagin said:

I bolded the line above because what the OP is asking about is preference within a list of documents, and that list happens to be within an SOP. As a list of documents, I do not see a need for numbering. The OP is not asking about bullets vs. numbering in SOP instruction sequence steps.

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I agree. My guidance to authors is that if there is an action, then it needs to be a numbered step. But a list of static items like documents or tools, etc can be bulleted. Marc has suggested that there are specific requirements in certain industries. If that's the case and you're in such an industry, then that's your answer.

Otherwise, do what works for your company. Personally, I'd keep it simple and easy to read.