What is the difference between instruction and procedure

For training activities, as well as other types of activities, companies rely on standard documents. A standard operating procedure SOP is a document that formalizes the tasks in an organization, linking them to the people responsible for them and to the resources used in each stage. A SOP presents this information in a broad manner and generally using more technical language, according to the terms of legislation and standard norms.

In addition to describing the activities and those responsible for them, these documents provide more details on the tasks, including aspects such as the mode and time of execution. Based on a user manual, work instructions should use simple language and be written using an uncomplicated step-by-step process with information that is essential to perform the task.

Images, photos and tables can be used to further facilitate employee understanding. Especially within the quality management system documentation, the hierarchy of these documents is different. Below is an example of a hierarchy structure:. Thus, WIs are at a level below the procedures and the distinction between these documents is made based on their use and degree of detail. While the first is applied to operational activities and provide a wealth of details, SOPs are responsible for standardizing management processes, with the characteristic of being a system standard.

The obvious fallacy with this measure is that out of specification or marginal components result in increase costs downstream and may actually result in higher total costs. For example, a work procedure could be developed for assembling the final housing of a product with step-by-step instructions including such detail as the torque requirements of the fastening screws.

Individual work instructions are very specific to an industry or company. The last level of documentation includes forms used to create records, checklists, surveys, or other documents used in the creation of a product or service.

Records are a critical output of any procedure or work instruction. They form the basis of your process communications, audit material, and process improvement initiatives.

The Bizmanualz Scoreboard displays key segment processes, clearly stated objectives, and on-going performance metrics. The following process should take place:. Some of the obstacles that can interfere with successful ISO Quality Management System implementation and that must be avoided can include, unrealistic time frames, resistance to change, lack of management commitment, insufficient training, or subjective interpretation of the standards.

The areas most frequently resulting in Non-Certification by companies to date have been in document control, design control, purchasing, inspection and testing, quality systems, process control and inspection, or measuring and test equipment.

The appropriate personnel under the direction of management should review the standards and develop, implement and maintain a minimum set of quality systems and procedures to satisfy the ISO standard. Further, these personnel will provide confidence to management that the intended quality is being achieved and is:.

Learning how to write policies and procedures is easy once you understand the four levels of documentation and the difference between policies, procedures, and work instructions. Free policies and procedures from Bizmanualz make it even easier! Your email address will not be published. The Store provides a complete set of the required ISO procedures that can be used as a guideline in drafting your specific procedures, an example of which is noted below. Click to view a Procedure Sample.

These specific directives an employee needs to carry out company tasks are work instructions see below. A work instruction will often repeat many of the elements of a procedure to help describe where it fits into the process such as:.

But at its core, a work instruction contains the step-by-step detail that is not advantageous to put into a procedure because it requires such a limited scope.

Work Instruction Example: Fabrication A welding-based fabrication assembly set of work instructions might contain step-by-step instructions for completing a final fabrication including cutting, drilling and welding the finished part including inspection, inventory management, etc. Click on the above drawing for an example of how to construct a work instruction using one of our templates. As noted above, there is no ISO mandate for creating work instructions. However, years of quality management documentation practice suggests coupling these in the documentation hierarchy can more clearly and effectively control quality management outcomes.

Click to view a Work Instruction Sample. Our All-in-One Certification Package is a proven, efficient system. It gives you all you need to prepare for registration — in one simple to use package. T hank you for producing documents of this quality ". Bettye Patrick. United Plating, Inc. A consultant can save you time by performing a gap analysis for you. They are well versed in all of the ISO requirements, and will help you focus in on the areas of your organization that need improvement to achieve certification.

Remote Analysis also available. Find a Consultant to Help Me. The Relationship Between Processes, Procedures and Work Instructions When a company documents its QMS, it is an effective practice to clearly and concisely identify their processes, procedures and work instructions in order to explain and control how it meets the requirements of ISO Simply put: A process states what needs to be done and why.

A procedure states how the process needs to be done. A work instruction explains how to carry out the procedure.