It's easier to understand after reading the previous article, "What is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)? The Importance of SOPs and Easy Ways to Create Them."
An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is a manualized set of work instructions designed to help teams perform their tasks consistently, even without a manager's direct involvement in every detail. By establishing SOPs, you make it easier to handle complex tasks or confusing situations and manage work processes more efficiently.
Three Types of SOPs
To effectively utilize SOPs, it's important to understand their types. SOPs can generally be categorized into three main types based on their characteristics and structure. Let’s take a look at what each type entails:
1. Step-by-step SOP
- A collection of simple work instructions arranged in the order they need to be performed.
- The procedure is the same every time, regardless of who performs it or when it is done.
- Checklist (X) vs. Step-by-Step Procedure (O): The order of the steps is crucial.
Step-by-step SOPs are straightforward manuals that anyone can follow, regardless of their skill level or experience. A well-written step-by-step SOP ensures that tasks can be completed easily and quickly by anyone.
2. Hierarchical SOP
- A step-by-step SOP that includes detailed explanations for each step.
- Allows for specific instructions regarding the target audience, timing, and other details.
If the procedure you need to document is too complex for a simple step-by-step SOP, you can use a hierarchical SOP instead.
For example, the instruction "All employees must wash their hands" could be a single step in a step-by-step SOP. However, depending on whether the SOP is for a hospital or a restaurant, the details may vary. A hierarchical SOP would include additional explanations, such as how long to scrub hands, which soap or sanitizer to use, and the appropriate water temperature, making it a more detailed and tailored guide.
3. Flowchart SOP
- A manual for complex tasks that include procedures based on conditions or specific scenarios.
- Typically presented with visuals, such as flowcharts.
- The flowchart should be kept as simple as possible.
Some tasks change depending on conditions or situations. For example, if a manager's approval is needed to proceed to the next step, and if approval is not granted, you may need to go back and make corrections before moving forward.
In such cases, a Flowchart SOP can be used. This type of SOP uses a flowchart to lay out conditions and various scenarios, making it easy to understand at a glance. However, if you try to include too many steps or explain too much within a single step, the benefit of a flowchart SOP—being easily understood at a glance—might be lost. If needed, you can incorporate step-by-step or hierarchical SOPs within the flowchart to keep the instructions clear and easy to follow.
Create SOPs Quickly and Easily with StepHow!
With StepHow, the automatic work manual generation solution, you can effortlessly create SOP documents in under a minute.
StepHow recognizes your clicks and automatically captures the screen to create a manual. A manual that would take over an hour to create using capture tools and PowerPoint can be done in just one minute with StepHow.
As an example, let me show you an SOP on how to use SAP, created with StepHow.
StepHow not only helps you efficiently create SOPs but also makes managing them easier. Would you like to give it a try?
If you're curious about StepHow, visit our official website right now!
It's easier to understand after reading the previous article, "What is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)? The Importance of SOPs and Easy Ways to Create Them."
An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is a manualized set of work instructions designed to help teams perform their tasks consistently, even without a manager's direct involvement in every detail. By establishing SOPs, you make it easier to handle complex tasks or confusing situations and manage work processes more efficiently.
Three Types of SOPs
To effectively utilize SOPs, it's important to understand their types. SOPs can generally be categorized into three main types based on their characteristics and structure. Let’s take a look at what each type entails:
1. Step-by-step SOP
Step-by-step SOPs are straightforward manuals that anyone can follow, regardless of their skill level or experience. A well-written step-by-step SOP ensures that tasks can be completed easily and quickly by anyone.
2. Hierarchical SOP
If the procedure you need to document is too complex for a simple step-by-step SOP, you can use a hierarchical SOP instead.
For example, the instruction "All employees must wash their hands" could be a single step in a step-by-step SOP. However, depending on whether the SOP is for a hospital or a restaurant, the details may vary. A hierarchical SOP would include additional explanations, such as how long to scrub hands, which soap or sanitizer to use, and the appropriate water temperature, making it a more detailed and tailored guide.
3. Flowchart SOP
Some tasks change depending on conditions or situations. For example, if a manager's approval is needed to proceed to the next step, and if approval is not granted, you may need to go back and make corrections before moving forward.
In such cases, a Flowchart SOP can be used. This type of SOP uses a flowchart to lay out conditions and various scenarios, making it easy to understand at a glance. However, if you try to include too many steps or explain too much within a single step, the benefit of a flowchart SOP—being easily understood at a glance—might be lost. If needed, you can incorporate step-by-step or hierarchical SOPs within the flowchart to keep the instructions clear and easy to follow.
Create SOPs Quickly and Easily with StepHow!
With StepHow, the automatic work manual generation solution, you can effortlessly create SOP documents in under a minute.
StepHow recognizes your clicks and automatically captures the screen to create a manual. A manual that would take over an hour to create using capture tools and PowerPoint can be done in just one minute with StepHow.
As an example, let me show you an SOP on how to use SAP, created with StepHow.
StepHow not only helps you efficiently create SOPs but also makes managing them easier. Would you like to give it a try?
If you're curious about StepHow, visit our official website right now!