Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Overview An SOP is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations. They aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance.

Why use SOPs? 1. Consistency: Ensure task X is done the same way by intern A and manager B. 2. Onboarding: New hires can read the manual instead of asking questions. 3. Compliance: Required in regulated industries (Healthcare, Finance, Aviation).

Structure of a Good SOP 1. Title: "Customer Refund Process" 2. Purpose: Why are we doing this? 3. Scope: Who does this apply to? 4. Procedure: Numbered list of steps.

• 1. Log into Stripe.
• 2. Find transaction ID.
• 3. Click Refund.
• 4. Select reason.

5. Exceptions: What if the transaction is > 30 days old?

AI for SOPs AI is excellent at drafting SOPs. Prompt: "Write an SOP for onboarding a new Python developer. Include steps for laptop setup, VPN access, and git repository cloning."

"Document what you do, then do what you documented."