Definition SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) vs. Work Instruction vs. Procedures

[Jen Kirley]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Well then! I had a feeling I was fouling up my post, and I'm glad to see these responses to set the matter straight. The SOP term is not what I am used to.

 

[Al Rosen]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Well then! I had a feeling I was fouling up my post, and I'm glad to see these responses to set the matter straight. The SOP term is not what I am used to.

Jennifer, what term are you more accustomed to?

 

[amanbhai]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Exactly,
Point being that you can label things what ever so long as you fullfill the requirments and your organizations needs.

yes maybe, but problem comes when one has to tell his collegues the definition/ difference of the terms.
specially in SOPs & Procedures

 

[Jen Kirley]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Jennifer, what term are you more accustomed to?

QA manual. Procedures. Work instructions. Start inserting things like "special/standard operating" and I begin to feel like we may not be discussing the same things.

 

[confused1]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Our consultant told us not to add any more procedures that the standard requires. Extra procedures then become your addition to the standard, and any failure to describe how you satisfy the "shalls" of your procedure can be considered a major breakdown in your system.

During a 9001:200 Transition audit I failed to identify customer communication processes (they were handled by corporate). That resulted in at least one non conformance. In the guidance documents I later read that while there are only 6 procedures that are required by the standard, More may be required for the effective operation of the organization. The failure to satisfy the "shalls" (or their equivlent) identified in your Quality Manual be considered a major breakdown in your system.
The long & short of it is that you need to document the required 6 AND whatever you deem necessary to adequately address the requirements of your QMS.

Confused1

 

[paulag]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Hello everyone,

I wonder if it is allowed to have a "light" and an "expert" version of the samen SOP, both current, and to chose which one to use depending on how complex the project is?

Really appreciate your feedback!

 

[Pancho]

Re: SOP, Work Instruction, & Procedures

Hello everyone,

I wonder if it is allowed to have a "light" and an "expert" version of the samen SOP, both current, and to chose which one to use depending on how complex the project is?

Really appreciate your feedback!

Yes, this is allowed. The ISO 9001 standard allows most anything that is legal and good for your business.

You may want to title the two procedures differently to avoid confusion, for example you may have (1) SOP: Handling small project (your "light" procedure) and (2) SOP: Handling large project (your "expert" procedure).

Then make sure your documentation explains clearly when each applies. For example, your process description for project management may state that projects under a certain value are considered "small", and the related procedure applies.