A procedure is a document that instructs workers on executing one or more activities of a business process. [1] It describes the sequence of steps, and specifies for each step what needs to be done, often including when the procedure should be executed and by whom. [2]
Organizations typically document procedures in their published policy and procedures guide, or their standard operating procedure (S.O.P.) guide. A procedures manual or procedural manual typically gathers together a number of procedures used within an organisation, [3] or for a specific set of functions. [4] For example all airlines give their pilots a S.O.P which holds all the information regarding flying. While procedures typically detail high level steps, a Work Instruction would provide more detail, for example the tools to use and how precisely to use the tools to carry out the procedure. [5] [6]