what are sops

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance, while reducing the chances of errors and deviations. SOPs are often used to demonstrate compliance with regulations or operational practices and to document how tasks must be completed at an organization. They can also provide employees with a reference to common business practices, activities, or tasks, allowing new employees to answer questions without having to interrupt supervisors to ask how an operation is performed. SOPs can be used in a wide range of contexts, including manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, and food service. They can be used to outline the steps for completing a specific task, such as assembling a product or billing customers. SOPs can also improve communication throughout an organization, as they are updated and redistributed to anyone who uses them when a task changes, helping the organization efficiently communicate the change to anyone affected. Finally, SOPs are frequently used when hiring and training new employees.