A well-written Standard Operating Procedure, or SOP, turns knowledge into action. It defines the right way to perform a task, ensuring that every team member follows the same process every time. It’s how teams at high-performing organizations know what to do and how to do it so that they can perform tasks consistently, effectively, and accurately.
In turn, that consistency leads to predictability, which leads to quality and improved productivity. Ultimately, well-designed and well-written SOPs build a business engine from the bottom-up that reliably enables the organization to achieve its larger objectives.
But any SOP is only as good as the quality of its writing.
That’s because their true value depends on how the SOPs are used, and they can be used correctly (and achieve their intended purpose) only if they’re clear, understandable, and usable.
That’s why SOP training is so critical.
The Benefits of SOPs
Before we talk about SOP training, however, let’s talk about why SOPs matter so much in the first place. In our view, there are three principal reasons companies need written SOPs:
- Consistency: consistency → quality → customer retention
- Efficiency: streamlining processes → cost and time savings
- Continuity: SOPs help new employees integrate seamlessly into the business
The only way to produce all three of these pillars of a high-performing operation is through documented procedures that ensure everyone follows best practices for every task, every time they perform the task. That’s where SOPs come in.
On top of that, good SOPs also improve compliance and reduce risk. Effective SOPs must be planned, which means starting with an understanding of why the company follows certain practices to ensure not just that tasks get done but that they are done in a way that maximizes returns and avoids costly errors, compliance violations, and/or customer dissatisfaction.
Why SOP Training Matters Even More
How those SOPs are written is what really matters, however. “If not written correctly,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wrote in its own guidance on writing operating procedures, “SOPs are of limited value.”
That’s understating the case. Absent and badly written SOPs don’t just mean organizations lose out on the consistency, efficiency, and quality benefits of standardized, documented procedures: they can lead to headaches and, in extreme cases, outright disasters. We’ve written about this before, describing how a lack of SOPs for disposing of defective ammunition contributed to a deadly fire at the Pulgaon Central Ammunition Depot in India. In another case, outdated and incorrect SOPs hindered recovery after the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.
In short, just having SOPs isn’t enough. They must be written effectively to produce results.
What Should SOP Training Include?
1: Strategic Thinking
SOPs are goal-oriented documents, and effective writers approach them strategically. They must understand how to describe a task and why the procedure exists and how it connects to policies and business objectives.
SOP training helps teams evaluate which type of SOP is appropriate, how it fits within larger workflows, and how to align it with both regulatory and organizational goals. Without training, writers may create SOPs that meet the letter of a requirement but fail to achieve the spirit of operational excellence.
2: Clear Writing
“Varying interpretations” of what should be plainly understandable documents is one of the most common problems with SOPs that fail to deliver consistent results.
Clarity is key for any business document, but for SOPs it’s non-negotiable. An unclear or difficult-to-read SOP will simply fail in its goal. When procedures are open to interpretation, teams won’t execute them the same way (losing consistency). Worse, if they are misunderstood, they’ll guarantee an increase in errors and problems, which in turn will require backtracking and rework (lost efficiency).
SOP training equips writers to develop procedures that are clear, concise, and reader-focused. Teams learn to write with the right level of detail and use language that’s accessible to all readers, even those with less technical expertise. They also learn how to organize information so that critical steps stand out, and how to review and revise SOPs collaboratively. Training helps prevent problems by teaching writers how to apply proven readability and usability principles.
3: Process Efficiency
Creating SOPs can be a complex process involving multiple writers, reviewers, and subject-matter experts. Without a clear workflow (an SOP for creating SOPs, if you will), the process can consume excessive time and resources while still producing inconsistent documents.
SOP training teaches teams how to streamline the SOP creation process. That includes how to conduct process mapping before drafting, define roles for authors and reviewers, and build repeatable and sustainable systems for drafting, feedback, and revision. The result is an SOP production cycle that requires fewer rewrites and reviews yet produces higher-quality, more usable documents.
Approaching SOPs the right way really makes a difference in their quality. As one Hurley Write client told us after a workshop session, “With Hurley Write’s help, we’ve been able to eliminate SOPs that no longer apply to our processes and revise those that do. The compliance rate for our SOPs has skyrocketed, and we are consistently told by employees that the revised SOPs are much easier to follow.”
The Bottom Line
Every organization wants better performance, stronger compliance, and more efficient workflows. More to the point, they want a way to ensure they are always driving directly toward their overarching business objectives.
SOPs are one of the simplest, most reliable ways to achieve those goals. But to get full benefit, just having written procedures isn’t enough. Teams need SOP training that teaches them how to write strategically, communicate clearly, and manage the process efficiently. When teams receive this training, SOPs become living tools that are more than just static documents: they become catalysts for organizational success.
FAQ: Understanding SOPs and SOP Training
What is an SOP?
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a detailed, written set of instructions that outlines how to perform a specific task or process. SOPs ensure that teams carry out work consistently and correctly every time. They are a cornerstone of quality assurance, efficiency, and compliance across industries.
What is SOP Training?
SOP training teaches teams how to plan, write, and maintain effective procedures. It covers aspects of SOP production from start to finish, including process mapping, needs assessment, drafting, review and revisions, testing, training, and ongoing updates. This kind of training helps teams write SOPs that are readable, accurate, and practical, while also building repeatable systems for creating new procedures as needs evolve.
What’s a good SOP for writing SOPs?
A good “SOP for SOPs” outlines the steps to produce and maintain all other SOPs in the organization. It includes guidance on how to plan the document, involve reviewers, test usability, and schedule periodic updates. For more information, read our guide “Steps to Develop Standard Operating Procedures That Work” and watch out for the most common pitfalls that lead to “Ineffective SOPs and Manuals.”
What types of SOPs are there?
There are several possible formats of SOP depending on the process and the reader’s needs. For example, step-by-step SOPs work best for simple, linear tasks. Hierarchical SOPs combine main steps with sub-steps for more complex processes. Flowchart SOPs help when decisions are required at choice points. Checklists, job aids, work instructions, wiki-style, multimedia, and hybrid formats can also be used, depending on context.
Why invest in SOP Training?
Because SOPs are only as effective as the people who write them. SOP training gives teams the skills and confidence to create effective procedures that are clear, strategic, and aligned with business goals.
To learn more about how SOP training can benefit your organization’s operational efficiency and effectiveness, contact us here or check out SOP Writing workshop, which will teach your team the skills they need to produce maximally beneficial SOPs.
