Office Administration
Standard operating procedure (SOP)
Definition
A standard operating procedure is a written, step-by-step instruction that tells staff how to carry out a routine task the same way every time.
What makes a good SOP?
- One task per SOP, with a clear purpose and scope.
- Numbered steps written as actions.
- Named roles for who does and who approves each step.
- Forms and records the task produces.
- An owner, a version number and a review date.
How is an SOP different from a policy?
A policy says what the organisation requires and why, while an SOP says how to do it. See how to write office policies and SOPs and the Office Policies and Procedures Development course. Supervisors use SOPs for delegation.
Where can you go next?
Courses, checks and reading on the same work.- CourseOffice Policies & Procedures Development
- CourseOffice Policy Implementation & Compliance Monitoring
- CertificationCertified Office Policies Administrator (COPA)
- Free online assessmentAre your office policies current and followed? Free policy compliance check
- GuideHow to write office policies and SOPs
- Glossary termDelegation
- Glossary termRoot cause analysis (RCA)
Which sources does this page use?
This page states no statutory figures, so it cites no official source.
Updated 20 October 2026. General information from the Certifyd team, not legal, tax or safety advice for your workplace.