Last Updated on October 30, 2024 by Owen McGab Enaohwo
As a company owner, what do you do if there’s a task that needs to be done in the same manner repeatedly? Well, don’t look too far. With a standard operating procedure template, you’ll conveniently come up with a starting point for everybody in the organization.
Although writing an SOP template from scratch may seem daunting, in this guide, we’ve eased the task for you. We provide access to fifty sample SOP templates you can easily download and implement in your company.
What’s included in the guide:
Chapter 1: Understanding the Basics: Why Your Company Needs a Standard Operating Procedure Template
Chapter 2: Case Scenarios: 52 SOP Templates… and What It Means for Your Business.
Understanding the Basics: Why Your Company Needs a Standard Operating Procedure Template
According to Master Control, a standard operating procedure (SOP) template is a document used to describe an SOP in a company. Usually, it is written in a step-by-step format highlighting various aspects that make the company distinct and unique from the rest.
So why would your company need an SOP and what benefits could you derive from it?
This video explains an SOP template:
With an SOP template, you can help your company:
- Standardize procedures
- Get started quickly
- Provide answers to common SOP questions
- Communicate the procedure format to all
- Provide a handy starting point
- Save everyone a lot of time
These elements are critical for the growth and development of any company. Watch this video to see why it’s important to implement an SOP template in your company:
Case Scenarios: 52 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) templates… and What It Means for Your Business.
Creating an SOP template is a must for any company that wants to take its business processes to the next level. You may have been putting it off, thinking that developing one could be a herculean task. A certain level of expertise is required to come up with one for long-term use in your company, but perhaps it’s just because, as a business owner, you might be too busy to create one for your employees to use.
To ease the process for you, we’ve collated generic and specific SOP templates you can easily download, tweak, and implement in your company. In this chapter, we provide you with fifty predefined templates for different businesses and industries to make your process faster and help you achieve rapid success for your company.
1. SOP Template for Laboratory Personnel
Click here to download the SOP Template for Laboratory Personnel
This SOP template is useful for laboratory personnel who want to perform the appropriate research procedures. With this template, you can outline the necessary safety precautions to take while conducting research. It would suit laboratory owners who handle different species of organisms and animals.
2. SOP template for cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces
Click here to download the SOP template for cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces
Vital to a company that deals in food prep, it’s necessary to prevent contamination and illnesses. With this SOP template, you’ll be able to ensure that food contact surfaces are properly cleaned and sanitized. It consists of a list of instructions, monitoring procedures, and corrective actions for employees of food service companies.
3. SOP template for a club
Click here to download the SOP template for a club
It highlights major aspects of a club, such as a health and safety policy, emergency procedures, how to use the club premises and equipment, and so on.
4. SOP template for an SEO agency/company
Click here to download the SOP template for an SEO agency/company
Search engine optimization (SEO) is all the rage. Many agencies and companies are in dire need of a template for it. This one highlights the major aspects of your SEO campaign, such as page title, meta tags, text, and backlinks. This will assist your SEO campaign greatly, as your employees can tweak the template to achieve success for every campaign in your company.
5. SOP template for management meetings
Click here to download the SOP template for management meetings
As a top-level management company, it’s necessary to conduct meetings at intervals. To make the process easier, this SOP template is apt. With it, you’ll be able to answer major questions, such as general guidelines for the meeting, frequency of the meeting, stakeholders and roles of each of them, and the required tools for the meeting. With it, your management will become seamless, and you’ll achieve greater results.
6. SOP template for quality management documents
Click here to download the SOP template for quality management documents
This SOP template is necessary for writing quality management documents for your laboratory. With it, you’ll be able to meet the standards required by the International Standard Organization (ISO). It covers major areas, such as the equipment and materials, procedure, education and training, detailed instructions, and so on. It’ll come in handy for laboratory owners.
7. SOP template for laboratory experiments
Click here to download the SOP template for laboratory experiments
Performing experiments is a must in every laboratory. To document the process, it’s necessary to have an SOP template. With one, performing experiments will become an easy procedure for your employees. It covers areas such as identification, process hazards assessment, exposure controls review, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures.
8. SOP template for laser safety officers
Click here to download the SOP template for laser safety officers
Safety is a priority for laser officers. This SOP template is useful for all employees of this type of establishment. With this template, you’ll have a handy checklist for your employees. Likewise, it covers major areas such as emergency procedures, hazard controls, normal operations, and procedures.
9. SOP template for chemical hygiene plan
Click here to download the SOP template for chemical hygiene plan
This SOP template covers laboratory-specific procedures that can be used to address hazards in the laboratory. This easy-to-fill SOP template contains specific information needed for this task, such as contact information, process or experiment description, storage requirements, step-by-step description of the process, and so on.
10. SOP template for serving food
Click here to download the SOP template for serving food
In a food service company, serving hygienically prepared food in a timely manner is key. This SOP template ensures employees perform tasks while following sanitation guidelines to prevent foodborne illness. It covers major aspects such as verification, record keeping, and instructions.
11. One-page SOP template for small businesses and startups
Click here to download the One-page SOP template for small businesses and startups
This basic SOP template is useful for small businesses and start-ups. It covers the major areas in an SOP template that can be tweaked for different purposes, such as scope, prerequisite, procedure, and references.
12. SOP template for handling acids
Click here to download the SOP template for handling acids
In environmental and health safety companies, acids may be used for different purposes. This SOP template helps companies dealing with these dangerous substances carry out relevant research. It highlights major areas such as the acid(s) to be used, potential hazards, special handling and storage requirements, and waste disposal procedures, and so on. It’s also useful for training and raising awareness.
13. SOP template for handling flammable gas
Click here to download the SOP template for handling flammable gas
This SOP template is useful for environmental health and safety companies. It details the generic and specific usage of flammable gas. It highlights major areas such as accidental release procedures, engineering controls, hazardous gases to be used, and so on.
14. SOP template for handling toxic gas
Click here to download the SOP template for handling toxic gas
This SOP template comes in handy for environmental health and safety companies. It outlines the procedure for toxic gases such as special handling and storage requirements as well as waste disposal procedures.
15. Generic SOP template
Click here to download the Generic SOP template
This SOP template by the University of Oxford is useful for different industries, businesses, and companies. It covers major areas you can tweak for your company, such as specific procedure, change history, internal and external references, and scope.
16. Tabulated SOP template
Click here to download the Tabulated SOP template
With this template, you can easily fill in the required details outlined in a table. It can be used by any company that wants to easily input details into a table.
17. SOP template for research companies
Click here to download the SOP template for research companies
Suited for research companies, this SOP template covers major areas, such as corrective and preventive actions, tracking logs, and so on. It is also easy to use and fill.
18. SOP template for laboratories
Click here to download the SOP template for laboratories
A wide range of procedures takes place in a lab. With this template, key information such as lab-specific information, administrative controls, procedure, and personal protective equipment are included. It’s easy to fill in the tables and charts.
19. SOP template for health personnel
Click here to download the SOP template for health personnel
This SOP template by the National Institute of Health is useful for health companies and personnel. It can be implemented for specific purposes in the health industry.
20. SOP template for non-recovery surgery
Click here to download the SOP template for non-recovery surgery
Mainly for the animal care industry when there’s a need for surgery, it comes in handy with essential information, such as pre-operative procedures, intra-operative medications, and physical support.
21. SOP template for recovery surgery
Click here to download the SOP template for recovery surgery
This SOP template is also useful for the animal care industry. Easy to fill, it contains specific outlines, such as anesthesia, analgesia, preparation of the surgical site, intra-operative medications, and post-operative care.
22. SOP template for small businesses
Click here to download the SOP template for small businesses
Using this template, small businesses can document their business procedures. It’s easy to fill and contains specific information that can be tweaked for the success of your business processes.
23. SOP template for a series of activities in a company
Click here to download the SOP template for a series of activities in a company
In a company, sometimes, a number of tasks need to be carried out in a certain order. This template lets you outline the activities and how to go about completing them. It’s also easy to fill and can be tweaked for each employee as needed.
24. SOP template for lab managers
Click here to download the SOP template for lab managers
Lab managers need to create an SOP template for the success of their laboratory procedures. This template allows you to cover a variety of details and enter specific information, such as the safety data sheet, spill and accident procedure, and first aid procedure.
25. SOP template for SOPs
Click here to download the SOP template for SOPs
This SOP template outlines the consistent use and control of the SOP in a company. With this template, it’s easy for staff to work in alignment with a closely related standard.
26. SOP template for Pharmacies
Click here to download the SOP template for Pharmacies
This SOP template contains a list of fillable outlines for use by Pharmaceutical companies. This makes it easy to use, and the required information can be filled in when needed.
27. SOP template for chemical spills
Click here to download the SOP template for chemical spills
With this SOP template, you’ll find it easy to complete processes to handle chemical spills faster. It contains a list of processes that need to be completed.
28. SOP template for agencies
Click here to download the SOP template for agencies
If you’re an agency owner, this SOP template will simplify your life. It’s a fillable template that your agency can use over and over.
29. SOP template for research laboratories
Click here to download the SOP template for research laboratories
This template by the American Chemical Society is a must-have for research laboratories. It’s necessary for identifying and evaluating hazards. It contains information such as regulatory concerns, human factors, emergency response resources, and facilities.
30. SOP template for satellite kitchens
Click here to download the SOP template for satellite kitchens
As a food service company, there are times when you need to transport food to remote sites. With this SOP template, you’ll find this process seamless and easy. Likewise, you’ll prevent foodborne diseases by preventing contamination and maintaining proper food temperatures during transport.
31. SOP template for laboratory safety
Click here to download the SOP template for laboratory safety
In the laboratory, there’s always a need to maintain safety. This SOP template helps in this regard, as it provides details that make the process achievable. It covers areas such as routes of exposure, storage requirements, waste disposal, emergency procedures, and so on.
32. SOP template for event management
Click here to download the SOP template for event management
This SOP template is useful for event managers, as it’s essential for the creation of a detailed event management plan. It covers specific sections of events planning and management, such as staffing, license and application checklist, organizational structure, program schedule, health and safety, electricity, and so on.
33. SOP template for chemical laboratory
Click here to download the SOP template for chemical laboratory
This easy-to-fill SOP template contains such information as specific laboratory procedures or experiments, risk assessment, product or experiment description, and so on.
34. SOP template for cleaning
Click here to download the SOP template for cleaning
The template goes over areas such as items/equipment to be used and the cleaning method. It also includes a sign-off sheet that can be used weekly and monthly.
35. SOP template for fire departments
Click here to download the SOP template for fire departments
Safety is an essential factor that should be considered in every company. Fire departments require special procedures and follow their own set of rules. This template caters to those specifications.
36. SOP template for food production
Click here to download the SOP template for food production
This SOP template covers specific areas such as menu planning and design, kitchen hygiene, food storage management, and preparation for kitchen services.
37. SOP template for accounts payable
Click here to download the SOP template for accounts payable
Accounts payable is an important department in any company. With this SOP template, you’ll be able to quickly provide answers to questions such as the accounts payable standard process, direct payments, recurring payments, check handling, tolerance, and so on.
38. SOP template for accounts receivable
Click here to download the SOP template for accounts receivable
Just as accounts payable is essential, accounts receivable is also an important aspect of any company. With this SOP template, you’ll provide your customers with quick responses, such as when it’s appropriate to record accounts receivable, writing off accounts receivable, the forgiveness of debt, submitting accounts receivable, reconciliation, and so on.
39. SOP template for bars and restaurants
Click here to download the SOP template for bars and restaurants
If you’re a bar or restaurant owner, this SOP template will be a timesaver. It covers areas such as preparation for service, service of food, service of drink, storage management, billing and payment, and so on.
40. SOP template for handling customer complaints
Click here to download the SOP template for handling customer complaints
Companies handle customer complaints all the time. To ease this process and give the customers appropriate and satisfactory responses, this template comes in handy. It outlines the processes to follow for all complaints and outlines the acknowledgment letter for customers.
41. SOP template for drivers
Click here to download the SOP template for drivers
Drivers are important for any company. Hence, it’s necessary to have a procedure they follow so they are efficient. With this SOP template, key details, such as driver qualifications, driver training, and general safety rules, will be properly documented.
42. SOP template for sales
Click here to download the SOP template for sales
To drive sales in any company, you need to be strategic and apply the bestselling practice. This SOP template highlights and explains areas such as sales representative roles, work organization, and sales procedures in detail.
43. SOP template for managing inventory
Click here to download the SOP template for managing inventory
It covers areas like laws governing the inventory, how to place orders electronically, and frequently asked questions.
44. SOP template for nursing
Click here to download the SOP template for nursing
This SOP template is useful for the nursing industry. It covers areas such as emergency supplies, giving medicines to patients, medicine therapy, and patient counseling.
45. SOP template for sourcing and purchasing inventory
Click here to download the SOP template for sourcing and purchasing inventory
This SOP template contains information about the procedures that vendors should follow to ensure smooth and efficient transactions. It answers questions concerning quotation, tooling, domestic and international logistics, and so on.
46. SOP template for schools
Click here to download the SOP template for schools
In a school, you need a template that all teaching and non-teaching staff follow to ensure efficiency. This SOP template highlights and explains key points, such as the roles of staff, staff training, staff hierarchy, systems of work, rules and regulations, and so on.
47. SOP template for software development
Click here to download the SOP template for software development
As a software company, this SOP template will aid you greatly. It covers areas such as the policy for systems validation, changes control systems, system development life-cycle, and so on.
48. SOP template for veterinary clinics
Click here to download the SOP template for veterinary clinics
This SOP template answers questions and provides details about procedures for quarantine, description of housing, and methods of euthanasia. It also includes details in case of disaster and suggests contingency plans.
49. SOP template for a warehouse
Click here to download the SOP template for a warehouse
Receiving materials in the warehouse could be a herculean task, if not well planned. With this SOP template, you’ll have the answers to questions concerning general receiving, receiving raw materials, and receiving printed materials and packages.
50. SOP template for training employees
Click here to download the SOP template for training employees
This SOP template makes the training of employees easy. It ensures that all employees are aware of their responsibilities, company policy, rules and regulations, and so on.
51. SOP template for manufacturing
Click here to download the SOP template for manufacturing
This step-by-step guide outlines what the company owner needs to do to get maximum results. These include tasks such as developing workplace talents, critical workplace knowledge, and so on.
52. SOP template for office administration
Click here to download the SOP template for office administration
This SOP template details key processes of the day-to-day running of an office. It includes specific information, such as travel details, safety, health, motor vehicle administration, procurement management, program administration, and so on.
Conclusion
As a company owner, you know that standardizing each process is important. Doing so helps avoid disasters. Provide readily available answers for the simplest of tasks in your company, such as an employee booking a flight, and offer a step-by-step guide for each procedure.
Creating a standard operating procedure template ensures seamless processes that can be followed repeatedly over a long period of time. Any member of your team can download these SOP templates and tweak them as needed for easy implementation in your company.
