Definition Work Instructions and Procedures (The difference between)

K

KPursell

#1
Hi Covers,

My quality manager and I (mgmt rep/auditor/inspector) are in a bit of a bind trying to decide the difference between a work instructions and a procedure. It seems in our company work instructions are more for products and a guide to production in the shop floor. Procedures are more for our QMS and major processess i.e. purchasing procedure.

We are ISO 9001:2008 small electronics manufacturing 35 follks all in all. Surveillance audit in a few days which is unrelated to my post.:mg:
 
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K

KPursell

#3
Re: Work Instructions or Procedure?

some brief talks of making it official - WI for production, procedures for everything else. Not my idea really, just wondering if there is a real difference..
 

qusys

Trusted Information Resource
#4
Re: Work Instructions or Procedure?

Hi Covers,

My quality manager and I (mgmt rep/auditor/inspector) are in a bit of a bind trying to decide the difference between a work instructions and a procedure. It seems in our company work instructions are more for products and a guide to production in the shop floor. Procedures are more for our QMS and major processess i.e. purchasing procedure.

We are ISO 9001:2008 small electronics manufacturing 35 follks all in all. Surveillance audit in a few days which is unrelated to my post.:mg:
Procedures usually state "what to do", while working instructions, that are more operative and used in the mfg shopfloor, state "how to do".

Sometimes , in quality language, it is being commonly used the same terms , but , if you refer to the documentation pyramid, "work instructions" are inserted at a lower level with respect to "procedures". Quality Manual is at the top as well as policies.
Howver, refer to your document control procedure to state this ,also taking into account the complexity of your business and work environment.
Hope this helps:bigwave:
 
Last edited:
K

KPursell

#5
Re: Work Instructions or Procedure?

Thanks qusys that helps a lot! I was thinking the same thing, but wanted some other opinions on the matter. :agree:
 

insect warfare

QA=Question Authority
Trusted Information Resource
#6
Re: The difference between Work Instructions and Procedures

Hi Covers,

My quality manager and I (mgmt rep/auditor/inspector) are in a bit of a bind trying to decide the difference between a work instructions and a procedure. It seems in our company work instructions are more for products and a guide to production in the shop floor. Procedures are more for our QMS and major processess i.e. purchasing procedure.

We are ISO 9001:2008 small electronics manufacturing 35 follks all in all. Surveillance audit in a few days which is unrelated to my post.:mg:
In standards usage (such as 9001) "procedures", if documented, can include work instructions or procedures in the general business sense. It is a common misconception that work instructions and procedures are somehow different and, using that justification, must be differentiated.

All work instructions are considered "procedures", but not all "procedures" have to be in the form of work instructions. Think of it in those terms and you will find out that what to call them is not as important as what you put in them...

Brian :rolleyes:
 
K

KPursell

#7
Re: The difference between Work Instructions and Procedures

In standards usage (such as 9001) "procedures", if documented, can include work instructions or procedures in the general business sense. It is a common misconception that work instructions and procedures are somehow different and, using that justification, must be differentiated.

All work instructions are considered "procedures", but not all "procedures" have to be in the form of work instructions. Think of it in those terms and you will find out that what to call them is not as important as what you put in them...

Brian :rolleyes:
... what to call them is not as important as what you put in them...:bonk:Thank you so much for help, really helps to clarify!
 

qusys

Trusted Information Resource
#8
Re: The difference between Work Instructions and Procedures

In standards usage (such as 9001) "procedures", if documented, can include work instructions or procedures in the general business sense. It is a common misconception that work instructions and procedures are somehow different and, using that justification, must be differentiated.

All work instructions are considered "procedures", but not all "procedures" have to be in the form of work instructions. Think of it in those terms and you will find out that what to call them is not as important as what you put in them...

Brian :rolleyes:
Agree.
There are other standards, such as ISO TS 16949 ( automotive) that includes ISO 9001, which make direct reference to "work instructions" in the clause 7.5.1.2, in the control of the production , that are integral part of the control plan.
I think that the important thing is the assessment of the organization , that based on its criteria, decide how to deal with its own controlled documents ( including proceedures and /or work instruction, that is only a part of it)
 

Peter Fraser

Trusted Information Resource
#9
Re: The difference between Work Instructions and Procedures

I tend to use "work instruction" to mean a procedure that is carried out by one person - a "go away and do that and don't come back until it is finished" sort of approach.

As long as everyone concerned knows how the terms are used within an organisation then you don't need a universal "definition".
 
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