Question

Differentiate between procedures and work instructions. Identify in the article both the descriptions. [8 marks]

Answer 1

Procedures

The procedure is a specified way to implement an activity or a process. Procedures describe a process. The process is actually a set of related activities that converts inputs into outputs. Process representation includes details about the inputs, transformation of inputs into outputs, the outputs, and the feedback required to guarantee consistent results. So we can say that procedures are established ways of performing a specific task. Procedures should be more detailed and describes the working method, as well as the different actors (operators and services) that will carry out the tasks. A procedure will be determined by the need to detail the specific way of doing the activities or tasks.

Work Instructions

Work Instructions are documents that precisely describe the accurate way to perform a certain activity or task. It includes certain guidelines that must be followed which must be done in great detail for the completion of a particular task. A work instruction is used to describe a specific operation, usually associated with a job.

Work instructions describe the ways of performing the task while the procedure expresses the accepted practices of performing a particular task. Both work instruction and procedure minimizes the level of errors. The work instructions are mainly focused on describing how an activity is going to be carried out. In the organizational context, the work instructions guide the ways of performing a particular task effectively while the procedures are useful to outline the roles and responsibilities of the employees.