Procedure Numbering - Is there any reason we HAVE to number our procedures?

MarilynJ6354

Involved In Discussions
#1
Is there any reason we HAVE to number our procedures? In the past I have used a database that always assigned a number but what the employee saw was a title. Now the format we are using makes us manually assign a number if we want one and it is entered in the title. We have the document history at the bottom of each document, we have links to referenced documents in both the quality manual and procedures, so is there any real NEED for a number, i.e. QP 4.2, etc.?
 
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CarolX

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
#2
Re: Procedure Numbering

MarilynJ6354 said:
so is there any real NEED for a number, i.e. QP 4.2, etc.?
Hi MarilynJ6354,

There is no requirement for numbering, but many people have a need to do it. I say, if it works for you and you don't need it, eliminate it!
 
D

ddunn

#4
Re: Procedure Numbering

You do not have to number. You can use title and date or revision.

An advantage to using numbers is if the title changes you don't loose traceability to the original document. If this information is in your document history then no big deal.
 
S

Sleepless

#5
Re: Procedure Numbering

The only reason I used numbering was to make it easier for auditors to see that my Quality Manual is in synch with the standard. Without them, my audit would be much more labor intensive.
 
T

tonya07

#7
I have the thrill of straightening out our QM that was orginally done by consultant (and not very well I might add). It seems that the procedures/elements are not numbered correctly.... can you tell me where I can look to assure that the numbering system is correct? I am very new to all of this!

Thanks!
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#8
I have the thrill of straightening out our QM that was orginally done by consultant (and not very well I might add). It seems that the procedures/elements are not numbered correctly.... can you tell me where I can look to assure that the numbering system is correct? I am very new to all of this!

Thanks!
Welcome to the Cove:D

What makes you think things are not numbered correctly? There is no requirement for written procedures and work instructions to be numbered in any particular way (or at all, for that matter), nor does numbering have to be associated with elements of the standard. Your documentation system should be designed in a way that works well for your company.
 
Likes: db
#9
What makes you think things are not numbered correctly? There is no requirement for written procedures and work instructions to be numbered in any particular way (or at all, for that matter), nor does numbering have to be associated with elements of the standard. Your documentation system should be designed in a way that works well for your company.
Let me echo Jim on the howdy :bigwave:

Also, what Jim says it right on. The ISO requirement is that documents "remain...readily identifiable," (4.2.3 e). Exactly HOW you identify them is up to you. Now, if they are numbered in some odd ball fashion that defies logic, then by all means re-number them the way that makes sense. The bottom line, as Jim pointed out, is that is needs to work well for you.
 
D
#10
Hi, i'm thinking do you satisfy the standard? And does your auditor agree?

4.2.3 Control of documents

Documents required by the quality management system SHALL be controlled. Records are a special type of document and SHALL be controlled according to the requirements given in 4.2.4.

A documented procedure SHALL be established to define the controls needed
a) to approve documents for adequacy prior to issue,
b) to review and update as necessary and re-approve documents,
c) to ensure that changes and the current revision status of documents are identified,
d) to ensure that relevant versions of applicable documents are available at points of use,
e) to ensure that documents remain legible and readily identifiable,
f) to ensure that documents of external origin are identified and their distribution controlled, and
g) to prevent the unintended use of obsolete documents, and to apply suitable identification to them if they are retained for any purpose.
 
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