Procedures

A procedure is a specified sequence of steps designed to complete a task or operation. Procedures spell out who is responsible, what resources are needed, in what order tasks should be performed, and how results are verified. They differ from policies, which state required aims or rules, and from guidelines, which offer recommended approaches without mandatory steps.

Common elements include the title and purpose, scope, roles and responsibilities, required materials or equipment, a step-by-step workflow, decision points or conditionals, safety precautions, quality checks, documentation requirements, and references. Many procedures include a revision history and version control to track updates.

Procedures appear in many domains. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are widely used in manufacturing, laboratory work, and public services. Other areas include clinical procedures in health care, IT incident or change procedures, and administrative or HR processes. The same general format can be informal for small tasks or formal as part of a quality management system.

Development and maintenance involve task analysis, stakeholder consultation, pilot testing, and formal approval. Once issued, procedures should be accessible, integrable into training, and periodically reviewed to ensure accuracy and compliance with current rules and technology.

Benefits include greater consistency, safety, compliance with regulations, easier training, and improved auditability. Potential drawbacks are rigidity, over-documentation, and the risk that procedures become obsolete if not regularly updated. Clear ownership and simple language help mitigate these issues.