Standard Operating Procedure Examples: The 5 Best Formats

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are physical or digital documents that present the steps of a process in a simple and detailed manner, task by task. Their goal is to simplify and optimize business processes within a company. As a key instrument in implementing a quality management strategy, SOPs ensure the safety and continuity of the company’s expertise. They help boost the productivity of each employee in their role. What is the best example of an SOP for your company?

Standard Operating Procedure Examples

Format 1: Interactive Guides

Interactive guides are educational content integrated into software to facilitate step-by-step use of the digital tool. This type of SOP is available on-demand 24/7 when the user encounters a problem. This solution prevents time losses and the hassles associated with operators trying to recall memorized information or consulting an external resource (video, PDF, image, user manual, etc.).

Creating an interactive SOP allows employees to learn work methods independently. With just a few clicks, they can use it as often as necessary. This gradually ingrains the correct actions into their procedural memory. The deployment of an interactive guide is often managed using a digital adoption platform like Lemon Learning. With our tool, the user receives step-by-step assistance throughout the work process thanks to:

• Quick launchers that are tooltips already present on the page when trying a new feature (clicking on them opens the guide),
• Smart launchers that are tooltips triggered automatically without any prior action from the operator,
• An AI chatbot that precisely responds to the user’s help request by offering personalized summaries.
  Adopting these types of SOPs significantly reduces support requests.

Format 2: Tutorial Videos

Tutorial videos are a widely used example of SOPs for executing work instructions. They offer an interactive, engaging, and dynamic way to showcase detailed steps of business processes to employees. These SOPs greatly facilitate user understanding. The brain can assimilate a large amount of complex data presented as images much faster than text. On average, visual information is processed 60,000 times faster than text.

For an SOP, these explanatory videos must have professional quality (clear images, excellent voice-over, easy streaming or downloading, etc.). Ideally, short visuals (2 to 3 minutes maximum) should be used to maintain the viewer’s attention throughout the guide. This type of support is ideal for explaining complex procedures like a sales process.

Format 3: Infographics

Infographics combine diagrams, charts, images, and text to present information in the most concise and attractive way possible. This is the best alternative for offering an SOP in visual form without investing in producing a professional video. Infographics are very effective for presenting the detailed steps of simple procedures like managing client appointments or organizing annual performance reviews.

Format 4: Downloadable PDF Manuals

Downloadable PDF manuals present technical instructions for performing job tasks in a structured text format. They explain any type of procedure (simple or complex) task by task. Writing an SOP as an article usually takes little time and is very economical. The format is also easy to share.

It is essential to find an expert with excellent pedagogical skills to create a support document easily understandable by all. An effective PDF SOP favors short sentences and avoids unnecessary repetition. In the text filled with concrete examples, bullet lists are often used to explain several successive instructions for the same task.

Format 5: Mobile Applications

Write the SOP using a specialized mobile application that offers various templates for presenting work instructions. Information is available anywhere and 24/7, provided there is a good internet connection. This practical solution optimizes proactive support for field teams. Specialized mobile applications have search and data filtering modules based on keywords. Within seconds, the user can access screenshots, videos, or PDF manuals that help quickly address the issue by following a few simple steps.

Comparison of SOP Formats

This table summarizes the strengths and limitations of each SOP example.

How to choose the right SOP for your company?

Analyzing the following factors can help you choose the best SOP format for each job role in your company:

• The cost of the solution for disseminating instructions (it is more economical to write an SOP as a PDF than to create tutorial videos or use interactive guides from a digital adoption platform),
• The ergonomics and ease of access associated with the SOP,
• The amount of information that can be disseminated,
• The possibilities for evolving the SOP according to new professional realities.
  It is essential to analyze the most frequent support requests for operational teams. Properly assessing the needs and profiles of SOP users is also crucial. A survey of employees helps better define the basis for choosing the most effective assistance solution.

There are various types of SOPs for presenting company work procedures: tutorial videos, interactive guides, PDF manuals, infographics, mobile applications, etc. The best SOP example is the one that precisely meets user needs and can easily adapt to job evolution within the company.