What are "standard operating procedures" (SOPs)?

Standard Operating Procedures, or SOPs, are essential in any organization as they provide documented processes that outline how specific tasks should be performed consistently. This ensures that employees have clear and concise instructions to follow, which in turn promotes efficiency, quality control, and compliance with regulations or standards.

By having SOPs, organizations can reduce variation in performance, as everyone follows the same steps for completing a task. This is particularly important in environments where safety, quality, or compliance are critical, as even small deviations from established procedures can lead to significant issues.

In this context, SOPs serve as a foundation for training new employees, enabling them to understand and execute their responsibilities effectively from the outset. They also facilitate accountability by clearly defining expectations for task execution.