8 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Examples

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) can help businesses create consistent policies and strategies to complete its most important goals. Learning about these procedures can help you understand the processes at a company so that you can succeed in your career. Reviewing examples of SOPs can also provide a foundation for you to learn, edit or create procedures that can help a business increase its product effectiveness and profitability.

In this article, we provide eight examples of SOPs to help you build a successful career within an organization.

Why are standard operating procedures important?

SOPs are important because they can help a business create easily repeatable processes to guarantee consistent quality while producing its goods and services. This can help a business maintain standards and minimize mistakes as employees switch positions or begin new roles. For example, a new employee can read an SOP to understand the requirements of their new role, reducing transitional errors.

Additionally, creating SOP documents can reduce procedure deviations, guaranteeing consistent quality. For example, without a standardized document, some employees may use different materials or processes, resulting in slight or significant differences in final products. While deviations in the procedure may not always create errors, a brand must be as consistent with products as possible to establish a strong brand identity and connect to customers.

8 examples of SOPs

Here are eight examples of SOPs to help you create a standardized procedure document within a business or organization:

Example 1: Copy editing SOP

Here’s an example of a standard operating procedure a newspaper may use to copy-edit its content:

Purpose

The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to guarantee that all articles are grammatically correct and factually accurate to prepare them for publication.

Application

All editors and designers can apply these steps to minimize errors in published content.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Copy editors read through each article and make suggested edits.

2. Section editors accept edits.

3. The lead designer inserts edited articles into the issue template.

4. The managing editor prints the completed issue and makes additional edits.

5. The designer implements the edits.

6. The designer sends the completed template to the publisher.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Style guide

• Section Guide

• Sample issue template

Example 2: Human resources SOP for hiring employees

Here’s an example of a standard operating procedure a human resources department within a company may use to interview potential employees:

Purpose

This SOP aims to ensure that potential employees have a consistent procedure to evaluate their qualifications for the company.

Application

Department leaders, managers and HR professionals may comply with this procedure when interviewing and hiring new employees.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Ask a potential employee to complete a technical skills test online.

2. Collect the completed test and distribute to the relevant department lead for evaluation.

3. Invite each successful candidate to an online interview with two HR professionals to determine their professionalism and competence.

4. Schedule an in-person interview with the potential employee, a company leader and the head of the department.

5. Send the potential employee a job offer via email and give them five business days to accept.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Sample technical skills test

• Email template

• Example interview questions

• List of documents required from the candidate

• Sample of an offer letter

Example 3: Blog publishing SOP

Here’s an example of a standardized operating procedure a business may use to create and publish high-quality blog content:

Purpose

This SOP aims to guarantee the publication of high-quality blog content that meets company specifications.

Application

This document describes procedures for writers, managers, and marketing associates to follow to create and publish relevant content.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. The content manager creates a list of potential blog post ideas at the beginning of the week.

2. The content manager meets with the head of content to narrow down and approve the list.

3. The content manager assigns blog posts to writers.

4. Writers create a draft and send it to a copy editor.

5. Copy editors make changes and send the finished post to the marketing department.

6. A marketing associate publishes the completed blog post on the company’s website and social media accounts.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Sample blog post

• Editing guidelines

• Social media strategy and passwords

Example 4: Immunization SOP

Here’s an example standard operating procedure a pharmacy may follow to provide customer immunizations:

Purpose

This SOP aims to ensure the safe and effective administration of immunizations.

Application

This document describes procedures for pharmacists and pharmacy technologists to keep patients safe and healthy.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Collect each patient’s ID and insurance card and enter their information into the computer system.

2. Ask the patient to complete a form detailing their previous immunizations.

3. Clean and disinfect the area of administration.

4. Administer the immunization to the patient.

5. Provide the patient with resources and information on their immunization.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Immunization resources for patients

• Consent and immunization form

Example 5: Sales SOP for acquiring new clients

Here’s an example of a standard operating procedure a company may use to acquire new clients.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to guide business and sales development professionals as they acquire new clients over the phone and by email.

Application

This document describes procedures for sales and business development specialists to add new clients.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Create a list of potential clients.

2. Locate potential clients’ email addresses.

3. Send an email to each potential client to explain product benefits.

4. If you receive a reply, schedule a phone call.

5. Complete the phone conversation and send any interested clients’ information to the sales manager.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Email template

• Phone conversation guidelines

• Potential client lists and databases

Example 6: Customer service SOP

Here’s an example standard operating procedure to help a company resolve customer concerns:

Purpose

This SOP aims to ensure customer satisfaction through efficient and satisfactory resolution of concerns.

Application

This document details procedures for customer service operators and managers to resolve customer issues.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Read the customer concern statement and create an incident log online.

2. Respond to a customer complaint online or by phone within 24 hours.

3. Offer the customer a coupon or product replacement.

4. Resolve the issue and file the incident report.

5. Notify the manager of the successful completion of the conflict resolution process.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Phone or email response template

• Incident report instructions

• Reporting procedures

Example 7: Tutoring SOPs

Here’s a standard operating procedure for a tutoring business:

Purpose

This SOP aims to ensure high-quality tutoring experiences that meet student needs.

Application

This document describes the procedures that tutors can follow to offer successful tutoring sessions.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Greet the student and create a log of their name, the subject they’re studying and their goals for the session.

2. Brainstorm potential solutions to problems, answer academic questions and identify areas for improvement with the student.

3. Offer strategies and examples to aid the student’s learning.

4. Provide the student with resources and assign additional work if necessary.

5. Set up the next session and enter it into the schedule before the student leaves.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Tutoring log

• List of potential tutoring resources

• Best tutoring practices

Example 8: Restaurant SOP

Here’s an example standard operating procedure for a restaurant:

Purpose

This SOP aims to ensure consistent, high-quality service at this restaurant.

Application

This document details the service procedures for servers to meet customer expectations.

Procedure steps

Here are the steps of the procedure:

1. Greet the customer and offer them a menu.

2. Recommend the daily specials and answer the customer’s questions.

3. Take customer orders and enter them into the online ordering system.

4. Deliver drinks and food to the table.

5. Return regularly to check on the customers and fulfill any additional requests.

6. Provide customers with the check and thank them for their business.

Resources

Please see the attached documents:

• Menu

• List of daily specials

• Sample greetings

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

I hope you find this article helpful.