# Standard operating procedure template


Copy the sections below into your team's document editor. Replace every bracketed field, remove instructions that do not apply, and ask the process owner to approve the completed procedure before use. Add steps as needed; three rows are a starting point, not a limit.

### Document control

| Field | Fill in |
| --- | --- |
| SOP title and ID | [Task name] · [Department-number] |
| Version and status | [Version] · Draft / Approved / Retired |
| Process owner | [Role responsible for maintaining this SOP] |
| Approver | [Role or person authorized to approve it] |
| Effective date | [Date the approved procedure takes effect] |
| Next review date | [Date agreed by the owner] |
| Approved copy | [Link to the current controlled document] |

### Purpose, scope, and starting conditions

- **Purpose:** [The outcome this procedure should produce.]
- **Scope:** [Where the procedure starts and ends; what it excludes.]
- **Trigger:** [The event that starts a new run.]
- **Prerequisites:** [Required access, tools, inputs, training, and applicable precautions.]
- **Roles:** [Who executes the work, checks it, and handles exceptions.]

### Procedure and completion evidence

| Step | Responsible role | Action | Evidence or pass condition |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Role] | [Verb + object + system or location] | [What proves the input is ready] |
| 2 | [Role] | [Next action, including any decision rule] | [Expected result or saved record] |
| 3 | [Role] | [Verify the result and complete the handoff] | [What proves the task is finished] |

**Exceptions and escalation:** If [condition], stop at [safe point], record [information], and notify [role through channel]. Resume only when [authorized condition] is met.

**Completion criteria:** [Observable requirements that must all be true before closing the task.]

**Records:** [Where to store the completed checklist or evidence, who can access it, and the applicable retention policy.]

**Related documents:** [Links to the policy, detailed work instructions, forms, and reference material used in the steps.]

### Revision history

| Version | Date | What changed | Approved by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Version] | [Date] | [Change and reason] | [Approver] |


Source: https://affine.pro/blog/sop-template