Terminology - SPI (Standard Practice Instructions) vs. WI (Work Instuctions)

[Trina]

Terminology - SPI -vs- WI

My company is looking to standarized some terminology at our various sites. Currently we are using SPI (Standard Practice Instructions) or WI (Work Instuctions), which would be better to use and why? I like to make things simple and go for WI, but was looking for other input.

 

[Mike S.]

Trina,

Welcome to the Cove!

I've been down that road before myself. My answer is whatever works for you and your company is fine, at least from an ISO 9001 standpoint. Call them "schrumps" if you want, so long as everyone understands that definition. FWIW, I defined my "level 3" docs that encompass what are commonly referred to as SOP's, WI's, process instructions, SPI's, etc. as "quality procedures". They define HOW to perform some process or process step. My QM defines each level of documentation in my QMS and I define what each level is called and give examples along with the definition. If you do the same it really is up to you and your co-workers what you want to call them and what is easiest for you. I hope this helped. If not write back.

 

[David Mullins]

I'm with Mike.
Whatever is culturally accepted and understood should be used.

 

[avigeva]

Trina,
It will also help if you use the same names in your Quality Manual, in the documentation hierarchy, and for the document itself. No metter what name you use but, keep consistency.
Avi