In many manufacturing facilities, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are easy to find—and maybe even easier to ignore.
They’re tucked into binders, written in language that doesn’t match what really happens on the floor, or updated once and forgotten. Often, they’re created to satisfy compliance requirements, not to support training, troubleshooting, or onboarding in any meaningful way.
But what if we thought about SOPs differently?
At CIFT, we’ve been working with companies to explore what we call “enhanced SOPs.” These aren’t just instructions—they’re learning tools, built by the people who know the job best.
Here’s what that can look like:
- Visual – Photos, diagrams, or short videos walk employees through the process—not just tell them what to do.
- Updatable – They reflect what’s happening now, not what was written three years ago.
- Accessible – Posted near the workstation, scanned with a QR code, or loaded on a tablet—not locked in a cabinet.
- Collaborative – Created or reviewed by frontline staff who know where things actually go wrong.
- Contextual – They explain not just how to do something, but why it matters—whether that’s for safety, quality, or efficiency.
A Real-World Example
We recently worked with a manufacturer to document a startup procedure for a new piece of equipment. Their lead operator walked us through the process on video, which we used as the foundation for an enhanced SOP.
Using AI tools, we turned that footage into a step-by-step document—with photos, checklists, and QR-code access right at the point of use. We also helped identify critical machine setpoints, locking in the ones that shouldn’t change and clearly marking others so operators could easily repeat the setup.
All of it came together in just a few focused hours—and it didn’t end up like so many SOPs—printed once, then forgotten in a binder.
Not Just a Document—a Tool
Experienced employees are retiring. New hires are learning on the fly. SOPs can’t just sit on a shelf—they need to do real work.
When they’re built with the team and designed to teach, they become powerful tools for reducing downtime, improving consistency, and getting people up to speed faster.
Maybe it’s time to stop thinking of SOPs as paperwork—and start seeing them as part of how we keep know-how in the building.
