This blank procedure gives each operational activity the same structure, from resources, safety and checks before starting through the method, inspection and release to handling problems.

Effective Procedure Templates

This procedure template is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:

• Procedure number and title
• Information-classification
• Version
• Page number / total pages

alphaZ documents - beautifully designed, tried and tested procedure templates. No junk, jargon or unnecessary content. Simple and usable procedure templates developed over 25 years through practical use in the real world.

Further Reading

Further guidance on operational control:

• ISO 9001 Clause 8.1 - Operational Planning and Control
• ISO 9001 Clause 8.5 - Production and Service Provision
• The Process Approach
• ISO 9001 knowledge base

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How to Download

To get access to this file please click on Add to Cart to purchase for immediate download. If you have an alphaZ Subscription just click on Download Files to view all the files available to download. This procedure template is also included in the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 toolkits, including the integrated toolkits that combine them, so the toolkit route gives you this file plus everything else you need in one download.

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Operational Procedure Blank Template

The Operational Procedure Blank Template is a Word template for writing a procedure for any operational activity. Each section has short standard wording and square-bracketed prompts to complete, covering resources and competence, health and safety, pre-start checks, the method in stages, inspection and release, handling, storage and delivery, and what to do when something goes wrong.

It is referenced from IMS1-4-3 Control of Operations in the IMS1 manual and supports operational planning and control under clause 8 of ISO 9001, with optional sections you can keep or delete.

What's Included in this Procedure

• Document Control and Amendment Record - title, file location, issue number and date, controlled by and approved by, with a record of changes
• Summary / Purpose - a ready sentence on how the activity is planned, carried out, checked and released
• Scope and Applicability - a prompt for the activity, areas, locations and workers covered, with standard applicability wording
• Resources and Competence - people and competence, equipment and materials, monitoring and measuring equipment, and premises and work environment
• Health and Safety - risk assessments, plant, PPE and safety equipment, supervision and permits, and emergency arrangements (optional)
• Pre-Start Checks - customer requirements and specification, documents and paperwork, and equipment and area checks
• Method / Process - stage headings for the method, with prompts for preventing errors and process validation
• Inspection and Release - in-process checks, final inspection and acceptance criteria, identification and inspection status, and release
• Handling, Storage and Delivery - handling and storage, delivery and post-delivery support (optional)
• Issues and Problems - what to do if something goes wrong, nonconforming products and space for guidance
• Appendix i - External References - a table of the files referred to and where they are held

Built for Operational Control

• Gives every operational procedure the same layout, so staff know where to look
• Prompts for competence, monitoring equipment and its calibration, inspection status, release and nonconforming products
• Includes process validation for results that cannot be checked afterwards
• Refers to the IMS1 manual procedures each section relies on

Who Needs an Operational Procedure Template?

Any business that needs to write down how its work is done, whether a manufacturing process, an installation or a service delivered on site. It suits small and medium-sized businesses building an ISO 9001 or integrated management system that want each operational procedure written to the same pattern.

Included in the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 Toolkits

This procedure template is part of the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 toolkits, including the integrated toolkits that combine them.

Writing a Procedure

Copy the template for each activity and give it its own code and title. Replace the bracketed prompts with how the work is actually done, delete any section marked as not applicable, and list the forms, policies or procedures you refer to in the External References appendix.

Related Forms

Record the training and competence the procedure calls for with F-Q5 Staff Training Record, and raise any issue or nonconforming output with F-Q10 Significant Problem / Incident / Complaint Form.