SOP Full Form

What is the full form of SOP?

SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedure, a collection of stepwise guidelines and directions that an organization gathers so that its employees and staff can perform the assigned activities with ease. It helps achieve consistency in efficiency, quality result, and employee productivity and reduces the possibility of confusion when employees perform a task as they act according to regulatory standards.

SOPs differ from one industry to another and increase reliability in various fields like marketing, sales, accounts, customer service, and many more. Though the CEO is capable of making significant decisions related to the day-to-day activities in smaller firms, as a firm grows, it becomes too hectic for the CEO to manage every decision. Thus, SOPs help add continuity to business operations and works as a reference guide for employees that helps them understand the sequence of business tactics and related duties.

Types of SOPs

Following are the different forms of SOPs:

1. Fundamental SOPs give instructions on how to develop other SOP categories.

2. Safety measure SOPs

3. Methodic SOPs give a description of investigation methods or complete testing methods.

4. SOPs for operating instruments, machinery, and other equipment.

5. SOPs for analytical techniques

6. SOPs for reagent preparation

7. SOPs for receiving samples and documenting the samples

8. Quality-assurance SOPs

9. Archiving SOPs and the way to handle complaints

Why Do You Require Sops?

We require SOPs for the following reasons:

1. Consistent and provide a unified platform irrespective of the place of working

2. Improves communication and the jobs of HR becomes easier as it is easier to gain a better understanding of rules in a simpler format

3. Helps judge employee performance and stops workplace discrimination

4. Helps complete tasks at a faster pace saving time and cost for the company

5. Creates a better and safer facilitative work environment

How to Write an SOP

Following is how you can write an SOP:

Step 1: Let the managers prepare a list of tasks that the employees perform.

Step 2: Plan the entire process and design a workflow diagram using a template. Decide where to make the SOP available; online or offline.

Step 3: Recieve feedback from the employees regarding the template designs and make sure that they understand the process before implementing it regularly. 

Step 4: Ask the managers for their input and review the process thoroughly. This helps determine who will implement your SOP.

Step 5: Now write your SOP and update it anytime. Though this is a time-consuming process, once implemented, it helps solve many issues. 

Step 6: Immerse your team to follow the SOP but make sure you don’t force them into anything. You can make changes in your SOP further to suit your employees.