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Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Google Docs, Word

Describe the how, what, and where of your organizational tasks to employees with this free SOP template.

    Download Free Template

    Available for Google Docs & Word

    Template Highlights

    • The template is available for download in Microsoft Word or accessible in Google Docs.
    • Includes essential sections like purpose, scope, references, definitions, procedures, and responsibilities, ensuring all aspects of the standard operating procedure are covered.
    • Add additional information, charts, or diagrams in the provided Appendix section.
    • Features a customizable title page, perfect for adding your company logo and branding.

     

    What are standard operating procedures?

    Standard operating procedures (SOPs) refer to an organization’s internal documents that describe how specific tasks should be carried out. These documents help organizations ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality in their processes, irrespective of the involved employees. 

    Benefits of an SOP

    A standard operating procedure helps you document the process for a specific task. As a result, you can expect several organization-wide benefits:

    • Consistent operations: SOPs provide a consistent framework for performing a task. As a result, you get the same output across different teams and individuals. 
    • Smoother onboarding: An SOP is a valuable training resource for any individual who enters an organization, is promoted, or transfers to a different role. It can be critical for employee retention as 71% of business leaders believe that employees leave a job if they don’t get access to the necessary tools and information they need.
    • Easier compliance: SOPs help define roles and responsibilities across the team, which allows an organization to comply with industry regulations, legal standards, and internal quality guidelines.

    What does an SOP include?

    A standard operating procedures (SOP) document typically consists of several sections—each serving a specific purpose for conveying the essential operational information. That said, here are the five most common parts of an SOP:

    1. Title page

    The title page is the first page of an SOP. It concisely describes the task or process an SOP covers.

    2. Purpose

    The purpose section gives an overview of the SOP’s objectives. It provides context and helps employees understand where the procedure fits into the larger organizational framework.

    3. Scope

    In the scope section, you define the boundaries of the SOP by mentioning its covered tasks, activities, and processes.

    4. Procedures

    As the heart of an SOP, the procedures section contains step-by-step instructions to perform covered tasks. You may also break down individual steps into substeps and include associated details, such as required resources.

    5. Responsibilities

    The responsibilities section lists the roles of involved individuals in the process. Plus, you can mention the duties and expectations to establish accountability and coordination.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    No, Microsoft Word doesn’t come with an SOP template by default. But you can use HubSpot's free SOP template for your business operations.

    An SOP format refers to a specific SOP template you use for developing your SOP documents. If you don’t have one, HubSpot’s free SOP template can be handy.

    You can write a basic SOP by starting with our free SOP template and populating its sections with your organizational information.

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