ISO 9001 - Work Instruction Template

Ingredients for a Work Instruction

Pay close attention on this one….
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1. Drain 1 can (14 oz.) of diced tomatoes and reserve liquid.
2. Remove diced tomatoes from can and spread onto a baking sheet; place in a 425-degree F oven for 20 minutes.
3. While the tomatoes roast, dice 1 large carrot, 2 celery stalks and 1 medium onion, then combine.
4. In a medium sauce pan on a cooktop, cook carrot, celery and onion mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes, until translucent.
5. Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven; add tomatoes to the carrot, celery and onion mixture.
6. Also add to the mixture the reserved liquid from the tomatoes, 1 cup chicken stock and ½ cup heavy cream.
7. Simmer all ingredients together for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
8. Mix with an immersion blender until a smooth texture is obtained.
9. Sprinkle with chopped basil.
10. Spoon into a bowl and enjoy

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Congratulations! – You have just made tomato soup.
 
It seems like I'm asked at least every other day for a work instruction template. The example above, while typically referred to above as a “recipe”, is a basic form of a work instruction. As for a “work instruction template”, there’s no hard-and-fast rules to follow on what a work instruction should or shouldn’t look like; there’s no ISO 9001 requirement; there’s no standardized format or template that everyone is supposed to follow.
 
Communication in written form requires a sender, a receiver, a message and an action / result. In the above example, the sender is the author; the receiver is the cook; the message is the recipe; and the result is tomato soup.
 
What content is required? Work instructions should be developed with the user in mind, and should convey information as necessary to achieve desired outcomes (in the above case, “making soup”). How simple or how complicated this instruction needs to be is a matter between the author and their intended audience (the user), with adequate consideration given to the complexity of the task at hand (or lack of).
 
What a work instruction looks like, the information contained within, is up to the individual preparing. Some work instructions include sections on “materials”, “equipment”, “personnel”, “related procedures”, etc. Some work instructions don’t. Some companies even have specific rules (i.e., a company style guide) and how these documents should be formatted.
 
In any case, the Written Instruction Template can be, and definitely should be, whatever works best for you, your organization and the outcomes your trying to accomplish.
 
It’s cold today and now I’m going to have my soup.
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