CC Standard Operating Procedure Project

1. Begin by completing a complete rough draft of Project #1 with all required components included.
2. Then upload a PDF of your SOPs to the discussion board for review.
3. Finally, choose at least two classmates’ rough drafts to review. Please choose a classmate to review that does not yet have any reviews to ensure that we all get a good amount of feedback. In your peer reviews, please include the following:

• • Things that were done well in the SOPs. Clarity, conciseness, visuals, organization, etc.
  • At least two areas for improvement in the SOPs–be specific here. What needs a second look and WHY? What is unclear? Where might a visual be helpful?
  • Any additional advice or suggestions related to Project #1

Project #1

Background:

Think of all the instructions and process descriptions you have read in your lifetime—instructions for games, recipes, how to assemble furniture, how to take your medication, on the job training materials, etc…. Standard Operating Procedures are a subset of instructions and process descriptions. SOPs are often used to train employees on new procedures or processes, maintain consistent standards in a business or organization, and to provide transparency to stakeholders.

Now think of how often these documents are written well. Not very often, right? Standard Operating Procedures are difficult to write and take skill, patience, and testing to be sure they are logical and easy to follow. You want your audience to be able to accomplish what they set out to do from reading your document.

Your task is to create a model document demonstrating the best-practices in writing Standard Operating Procedures. This means you should attempt to incorporate as many of the standard features of instructions and process descriptions as possible in this document.

Instructions:

1. Choose your topic. Conduct some preliminary research on SOPs. Avoid topics that are commonly known or that usually already come with a manual or list of instructions. What is a set of instructions or a process that not many people are familiar with? What kind of SOPs might be needed in your current job? What about at a future position within your industry?

Here are a few sample topics:

• • SOPs for breaking down and cleaning equipment in a restaurant or cafe
  • SOPs for writing a proposal or other lengthy document at work
  • SOPs for complex tasks at work like training a new hire, how to conduct a professional workshop or conference, setting up/breaking down for a special event…

Topics to avoid:

• • Common topics like how to mop the floor, make a photo copy, send an email, , tie your neck tie, etc.
  • Topics that are inappropriate for the classroom or topics that deal with illegal or unethical materials or processes
  • SOPs or instructions that can commonly be found elsewhere—user manuals, how to fill out a FAFSA, etc.

1. Create an outline of your instructions/process. Try to list as many steps that you can think of initially—even if they seem obvious or inconsequential. Review these instructions/descriptions several times to be sure you haven’t left anything out.
2. Gather visuals and draft special notices. From Online Technical Writing , read the material on Special Notices . Will you need notes? Cautions? Warnings? How will you indicate this in your document?

   Be sure to also consider visuals. What kinds of visuals might your SOPs need to help your audience be better able to use the document easily? Where might you find these images? Keep in mind that the best SOPs will usually have original visuals. Consider designing these visuals yourself or even making sketches of visuals that would be helpful to your audience.

3. Draft your SOPs. Using your outline, graphics, and special notices, begin to draft your instructions. This should be a document that may appear in an employee manual. If you aren’t sure what format to use for this assignment, be sure to ask what might be appropriate.

   Be sure your writing is clear, logical, and easy to use. Consider having 3-4 people review your document to see if you have left anything out or if anything is unclear.

4. Revise, edit, proofread. Not only are you looking for revisions in content here, but also revisions related to the actual process, the descriptions of the steps, the logic of the SOPs, and the usefulness of your visuals. Take your time with this.
5. Submit your assignment to Canvas. Please upload your work as a PDF.
   https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/instrux…

Assignment Guidelines:

• Create an SOPs document based on a workplace process. Think about a process in your current workplace or in a possible future job or career.
• Your document must be at least 1500 words long.
• Make sure you provide real instructions and processes in your SOPs. This document should be usable and realistic outside of the classroom.
• Write a good introduction—in it, indicate the exact procedures to be explained, indicate audience requirements, and provide an overview of contents.
• Make sure that you use the various types of lists wherever appropriate. In particular, use numbered vertical lists for sequential steps.
• Use headings to mark off all the main sections and subheadings for subsections.
• Use special notices as appropriate.
• Make sure you use consistent style and format for all headings, lists, special notices, and graphics
• Use graphics to illustrate any key actions or objects
• Provide additional supplementary explanation of the steps as necessary
• Remember to create a section listing equipment and supplies, if necessary
• No title page, references, or appendices needed
• Design is up to you—use HATS, DOCS, and business writing and design elements when completing this assignment
• Consider the rhetorical situation carefully

Grading Criteria:

• Does the document adhere to all assignment instructions?
• Does the assignment follow HATS and DOCS guidelines?
• Is the writing clear, concise, accurate, and professional?
• Is the writing and design free from errors?
• Does the document fit with the purpose and goals of the assignment?
• Has the rhetorical situation been considered (audience, context, purpose)?
• Are the SOPs organized logically? Do they make sense? Are they complete?
• Do the SOPs use plain language?
• Have the processes been clearly described?
• Are the visuals necessary, usable, and helpful?
• Have sufficient special notices been included? Are they consistent and easy to find?
• Are formatting and design choices consistent throughout the document?