Question

Select five operational manuals for five different products that used for the same purpose from five different suppliers. The suppliers should be from different continents. Review these manual and conduct a comparison between them. Based on your analysis of these manuals, prepare a report about your findings.

Answer 1

The operations manual is the documentation by which an organisation provides guidance for members and employees to perform their functions correctly and reasonably efficiently.It documents the approved standard procedures for performing operations safely to produce goods and provide services. Compliance with the operations manual will generally be considered as activity approved by the persons legally responsible for the organisation

Classifications of Manual

1. Product Manual
This is also called the “Instruction manual”. It is a manual that instructs users how to use the product.

2. Installation Manual
This is a manual on how to set- up or install the product.

3. Troubleshoot Manual
A type of manual used to fix parts of the product.

4. User Manuals
A type of manual that focuses on different kinds of users- administrators, maintenance personnel, beginners, managers, or students

5. Operations Manual
This is the manual for operations of the company or businesses. It is a set of standards and procedures for operations, work standards, and policies of the company.

6. Crisis Management Manual
A manual on how to respond to crisis or tragedies such as earthquake, fire, storms, tsunami, or violence in the work premises.

7. Audit Manual
This type of manual is a guide on how to do or make finance reports in relations to accounting and auditing matters.

The advantages of having of Manual is as follows:

1. Reduced Time and Cost to Productivity
We can improve the quality of our products and services. There will be lesser complaints and clarifications regarding how to use or how to install our products.

2. Shared Information
We can share knowledge and wisdom which are compounded before to only one person or department. For new employees, this will also reduce the time for their training since the Manual would give them the standards and procedures they need to abide by. It will also give the employees a general overview of how the company operates and their respective roles and responsibilities.

3. Reduce and Minimize risks (Risk hedge)
Businesses can avoid having misconceptions or misunderstandings; Having a Manual sets the rules, guidelines and policies of the company operations.
Manual also set the standards for the company to ensure profitability and growth.

4. Maximize potentials
Manuals are universal to the company. For example, when a business outsource certain functions, a Manual provides consistency and quality assurance. Referring to a Manual increases the productivity and profitability of the company

5. Avoid “Knowledge trap”
Having a manual avoids “knowledge traps”. This means information or processes that is only known to one specialist or experts in that field. Worst case scenario in any company is having only one person who knows this knowledge or skill and is capable in doing that particular role or job.