ISO 9001 Procedure Writing Tips

D

dcount

#1
This is my first posting, and would just like to thank everyone that participates on this site, it is a fantastic resource for Quality Professionals (or anyone interested in improvement)!

My question, does anyone have an example of "Tips" on how to write ISO Procedures, such as "don't use names, use titles or functions", etc.

We are just begining our registration process, and I have been tasked with writing a procedure on how to write a procedure...

Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
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Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
#2
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

This is my first posting, and would just like to thank everyone that participates on this site, it is a fantastic resource for Quality Professionals (or anyone interested in improvement)!

My question, does anyone have an example of "Tips" on how to write ISO Procedures, such as "don't use names, use titles or functions", etc.

We are just begining our registration process, and I have been tasked with writing a procedure on how to write a procedure...

Any help is greatly appreciated!

You might want to review my comments in this post.

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=22742

While it is about a different procedure, some of the comments would apply.
 
M

Mustang

#3
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

My advice is to keep it simple (use language/terminology the intended audience will understand), and document what you DO, not what you want to do, or should do. That will come later.

Also, I agree with the positions vs. names statement, much easier to deal with. That way, you avoid having to write changes to a bunch of documents if someone leaves.

oops, here is our Work Instruction for formatting documents. Hope it helps!
 

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#4
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

Dcount - welcome to the Cove, happy that you've decided to post and that we've been a good resource for you!:bigwave:

What Mustang and Helmut have said is correct. My approach is the simple one too. There are other threads here (some fairly recently) which deal with style and content of procedures, work instructions etc. Did you try a search yet? I'm sure that will send you off in the right direction.

My tips (in addition to the above) are:

Format - you don't need at that stuff about 'purpose', 'scope', 'applicability', 'definitions' or responsibilities etc. - as seperate headings. That was for the birds (well, the Airforce, actually!). Make a simple statement "This procedures is how we do XYZ". Work the other necessary stuff (responsibilities mainly) into the body of the text.

References - if you need another document, work it into the text. Don't list it at the end.

Records - don't describe in the procedure what to do with any records. You'll be writing the records procedure everytime you write another procedure. Just 'point' or hyperlink to the records procedure.
 
J

jem63

#5
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

I believe the one general rule for Policies and Procedures is not to make it more difficult than it needs to be.

for example

"The quality record AAA is retained in the third drawer near the back adjacent to ABC file within the blue file cabinet next to the bubbler in shipping."

Instead write

"Quality records are retained in accordance with our document control policy."

:)
 
D

ddunn

#8
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

I would suggest the addition of an Input/Output table. What is the input to the procedure and where does it come from (procedure or function) and what is the output and where does it go (procedure or function). This provides the user an understanding of the process flow and helps define the interaction between procedures.
 
D

dcount

#9
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

Thanks everyone for the above information, some excellent tips, I will spend some time trying different search criteria.
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#10
Re: ISO Procedure Writing Tips

Except for the folks from Wisconsin........:lmao:
When I first moved to Wisconsin from Chicago (a distance of only 60 miles or so) I asked someone in a store where something was, and the response was, "Up in front, near the bubbler." I had no idea what he was referring to. My predictable response was, "What's a bubbler?" "The water fountain," came the reply. I resisted the urge to say, "Then why the *&#$ didn't you say that in the first place?" :D

As for the OP's question, I always urge people to avoid legalistic language, and to use the active rather than the passive voice. Instead of saying "The operator shall refer to the work instructions..." It's better to say "Refer to the work instructions."
 
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