SSOP vs SOP vs Work Instruction
Probably a topic beat to death but the lines between work instruction and ssops seems awfully blurry to me. Seeing as I am new to making these documents can someone give me some tips or tell me the exact differences and how they are applied.
For a little more detail, I am currently trying to make a document for a CIPing a product line. Would this require a WI an SSOP or both?
Probably a topic beat to death but the lines between work instruction and ssops seems awfully blurry to me. Seeing as I am new to making these documents can someone give me some tips or tell me the exact differences and how they are applied.
Hi Lucas.S,
You're right. Queries over such terminologies have generated several previous threads here.
In practice, interpretations can vary, eg with industry/location/Standard etc.
WI is an ISO original (I think) but SSOP is not (probably US origin). There are others, eg Procedure (eg ISO). And so forth.
Some context might help, eg product type (eg meat), area (eg USA), type of process (eg RTE), FS Standard (if any)
Theoretically SSOP implies sanitation related. SOP (see yr title) could be anything.
ISO use WI as a subset of Procedure, but other people's "Procedures" can include an ISO-WI.
Offhand I would probably answer yr Post 2 with a "Procedure" (or perhaps SOP) but maybe also related to the length/detail involved.
PS - a few name examples here -
I would also suggest not to make duplicates of the same instructions
SOP = standard operating procedure
SSOP= sanitation standard operation procedure
The gist with either is that in a pinch ANYONE should be able to muddle through temporarily and that it meets program requirements (ISO, HACCP, BRC etc)
Remember, each document you add is another document that needs adjusting/reassessing etc.
KISS
Keep
It
Simple
Silly
As Charles states, it pretty much depends on the purpose of the document.
If the document has something to do with how to conduct a sanitation procedure, it would more than likely be a SSOP (i.e. how to clean a particular piece of equipment)
If the document has something to do with how to operate a particular piece of equipment (or general instructions to ensure quality or safety) then it would be a SOP.
This could also be considered a Work Instruction. For example, "Add x quantity of ingredients and mix at y speed for z minutes"
My opinion, if it requires cleaning something, make it a SSOP.
If it just requires operating equipment or testing or evaluating products, make it SOP.
Regardless. Say what you do, do what you say and be able to prove it.
Marshall