Procedure Content - Headings (Sections) & their Meanings

C

CeeJayEss

We have an certified ISO quality system but over time people have left who new the system well. We now have some confusion over writing and editing procedures.

We have standard headings in each procedure as follows:
Purpose
Scope
References
Definitions
Responsibilities
Procedures
Attachments
Records

Most are self explanatory but often the data in "References", "Attachments" and "Records" seem to have become repetitive or at least confused in our manuals. Are these headings and interpretations of them defined in ISO9001 or are the headings likely to have been options chosen by our company in the past?

Any help on interpreting the intent of these three headings would be appreciated.
 

Stijloor

Leader
Super Moderator
Re: Procedure Headings & Meanings

We have an certified ISO quality system but over time people have left who new the system well. We now have some confusion over writing and editing procedures.

We have standard headings in each procedure as follows:
Purpose
Scope
References
Definitions
Responsibilities
Procedures
Attachments
Records

Most are self explanatory but often the data in "References", "Attachments" and "Records" seem to have become repetitive or at least confused in our manuals. Are these headings and interpretations of them defined in ISO9001 or are the headings likely to have been options chosen by our company in the past?

Any help on interpreting the intent of these three headings would be appreciated.

Welcome to The Cove Forums! :bigwave: :bigwave:

Your list pertains to a more classic way of writing procedures. None of this is required by ISO 9001:2008. You can format your documents as you see fit. If the chosen format works for your organization (and its users), you're OK.

Stijloor.
 

SteelMaiden

Super Moderator
Trusted Information Resource
Re: Procedure Headings & Meanings

We have standard headings in each procedure as follows:
Purpose
Scope
References
Definitions
Responsibilities
Procedures
Attachments
Records

Most are self explanatory but often the data in "References", "Attachments" and "Records" seem to have become repetitive or at least confused in our manuals. Are these headings and interpretations of them defined in ISO9001 or are the headings likely to have been options chosen by our company in the past?

Any help on interpreting the intent of these three headings would be appreciated.

There isn't any requirements for what your procedures "look like". If these headings work for you, fine, if not choose something that makes sense to you.

As for definitions, here is how I would define the three in question, but, others might have another definition.

References, would be other documents, procedures, standards, specifications referred to in the procedure. ex.: Physical property test results must be within the ranges specified by ASTM XXXXXXX.

Attachments, maybe a chart, a report, a legal requirement that is attached to the document. ex.: See the attached drawing for dimensional data.

Records, my guess is whatever records are kept as evidence of completion/compliance. ex: Chemical Addition Form ####; Product Record Form ###.
 
D

DrM2u

Like the other two have indicated, the format is not required or prescribed by the ISO 9001 standard. It is up to your organization to select something suitable and understandable. I'd suggest for you to look under the posted attachements and evaluate various procedure formats, ranging from the lengthy 'sleeping pills' to the one-pager documents.
 

Randy

Super Moderator
There is nothing that even requires that your documents have the same format. As long as they can be readily identified and the current revision status is present they don't even need to look alike.
 
C

CeeJayEss

Thank you all for your valuable guidance. What a great forum! :)
I also found particularly helpful the "Post Attachments List"
 
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