SOP vs. Application Work Instructions: Which One Is Better?

Tuesday August 9, 2022

The principles of Standard Operating Procedures and Application Work Instructions are crucial to achieving the desired outcomes from our workforces, and the applications they use, particularly mission-critical enterprise applications such as ERP, CRM, HCM, etc… Both forms are vital for employee training and serve as tools for efficient business operations.

SOP vs Work Instructions
SOP vs Work Instructions

These two forms differ from one another in important ways. Let’s learn more about how they differ and how they should be used.

What is an SOP?

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of guidelines for carrying out one or more specific duties that comprise standard procedures. SOP, then, is a process for performing work that is composed of standardized tasks.

What is Standard Operating Procedure
Standard Operating Procedure | Source: Pinterest

SOPs are created to assist the workforce in performing their tasks to ensure desired outcomes are achieved consistently and productively. Enterprises can save time by implementing Standard Operating Procedures, particularly useful when training new hires and with employees changing or absorbing new roles, but also important for ensuring continuous compliance with critical processes regardless of an employee’s experience.

In addition, Standard operating procedures enable new hires to catch up fast with the tasks they conduct within the system. SOP helps standardize workplace activities by establishing consistency throughout the organization while limiting unneeded errors because it was developed using empirical research and quality assurance checks. 

Regarding its applications, Standard operating procedures are often utilized in fields such as medical, engineering, aviation, military, restaurant, hotel, etc.

What is an Application Work Instruction?

An Application Work Instruction is a document that outlines the proper methods for carrying out certain tasks, with detailed explanations of the must-be completed tasks to produce high-quality work.

This is also a crucial document for employees to understand the nature of the job they are performing, as well as its needs, and plays an essential role in developing a knowledgeable workforce that boosts organizational performance.

Difference between SOP and Work Instructions

Work instructions and standard operating procedures are both crucial for a business’s operations management. The creating work instructions will detail each task sequence if the standard operating procedure is imagined to involve various tasks completed in a set order. These two resources work in tandem to address three crucial inquiries: who, what, and how.

SOP and WI may be used by various businesses in one or both capacities. We will examine the table below to contrast the variations between work instructions and standard operating procedures, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each:

Standard Operating ProceduresWork Instructions
DefinitionStandard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of guidelines for carrying out one or more specific duties that comprise standard procedures.A work instruction is a document that outlines the proper methods for carrying out certain tasks, with detailed explanations of the must-be completed tasks to produce high-quality work.
FeaturesSOP directs employees to complete a task in a predetermined order to assure quality in accordance with established standards.Work instructions give employees step-by-step guidance on how to do a task.
RolesOptimizing business processes.
Boosting productivity at work.
Limiting unneeded mistakes.
Saving time for training new employees.
Building a skilled workforce.
Ensuring the quality of the proposed work.
ProsStandard operating procedures offer an intuitive understanding of various occupations’ workings, connections, and function in the enterprise’s broader business operations.Work instructions give specific information on the task that must be done, assisting employees in having a clear understanding of the work they perform.
ConsStandard Operating Procedures merely give an overview of the process rather than a thorough account of how each step is carried out.Since job instructions are not systematic, employees only have a general understanding of their jobs and how they relate to those of others in the enterprise’s broader operating system.
Standard Operating Procedures vs. Work Instructions

SOP and Application Work Instructions management solution – Epilogue Opus

Opus, known as a Digital Adoption Platform allows you to generate and standardize SOPs for application tasks and then deliver these to your workforce. Especially, Opus will play an essential role in guiding them to execute their tasks at their moment of need and without causing the user to leave their workflow. This eliminates costly, disruptive, and largely ineffective application training and delivers a consistent standard for task execution.

SOP sample creation with Opus
SOP sample creation with Opus
Work Instructions editing dashboard
Work Instructions editing dashboard

Conclusion

For employees to perform efficiently, both process and work instructions are required. This determines the caliber of work and whether or not a business is operating at its best.

In case of your employees do not follow the work instructions, this article can help:

How To Deal With An Employee Not Following Work Instructions?

In businesses or organizations, quality assurance and the relationship between the work of the departments are typically ensured when there is high specialization between departments and with an amount of personnel. For organizations to be able to run efficiently and reduce expenses, accepting varied tasks is a crucial step.

With the help of this post, we hope you have a better understanding of SOPs and work instructions, are aware of their importance to businesses, and can make an informed decision on which ones to create for your own. 

Related resources

Impact of Organizational Change on Employee Performance
All businesses undergo organizational change. Change has pros and downsides. Learn more about business change, its issues, and how to fix them.
How To Ensure Successful Digital Transformation? How Can Opus Help?
Go to learn how to ensure successful digital transformation, making digital transformation incorporates technology into a company's operations or mission.
Customer Success in SaaS: Maximizing User Adoption & Achieving Optimal Outcome
Customer success in SaaS is still a relatively young area, and entering something you don't fully understand might be challenging. Let’s get to learn now!
Key Differences Between Digital Transition vs Digital Transformation
Businesses adopt new technology daily to compete. Digital transition vs digital transformation are common phrases. Despite sounding alike, they are unique.
How To Avoid Micromanaging Your Employees With Digital System
Many employers struggle with micromanagement, but what is it, why is it bad for business, and how to avoid micromanaging?
Digital Customer Experience: Definition, Key Areas & Its Importance
Let’s get to understand what digital customer experience is and some key tips on how to improve it effectively in order to keep your audience coming back!
Increase user productivity
Reduce business cost
Enable customer success

Schedule a call with one of our digital adoption specialists.