Page 260 - DMGT552_VISUAL_MERCHANDISING

Unit 13: Quality and Process in Visual Merchandising

Notes

Task Gather more information on SOPs different sectors listed in the text.

Standard operating procedures are a detailed explanation of how a policy is to be implemented.
The SOP may appear on the same form as a policy or it may appear in a separate document. The
main difference between a SOP and a policy are details. An effective SOP communicates who
will perform the task, what materials are necessary, where the task will take place, when the
task shall be performed, and how the person will execute the task.

13.3.1 Purpose of SOP

Following are the common purposes of SOPs:
 Serve as framework for organisational policy – provide direction and structure

 Written documentation of best practice
 Tells what, how, when, why and who
 Provide foundation for:
 job descriptions,
 employee training,

 corrective action and discipline, and
 Performance review.

Lab Exercise Go to website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/HRIM/HACCP/
restaurants.htm and collect information on Food Safety for Retail Foodservice Employees.

Are SOP necessary?: The details in an SOP standardise the process and provide step-by-step
how-to instructions that enable anyone within your operation to perform the task in a consistent
manner. The SOP document serves as an instructional resource that allows employees to act
without asking for directions, reassurance, or guidance. The step-by-step written procedure can
also help hold employees accountable because employee expectations are documented and
their actions can be measured against the SOP. Communicating procedures that anyone in the
operation can follow with consistent results will ensure your operation continually provides
high quality products and services.

Notes Types of SOPs
A number of important SOP types are:
 Fundamental SOPs. These give instructions how to make SOPs of the other categories.

 Methodic SOPs. These describe a complete testing system or method of investigation.
 SOPs for safety precautions.
Contd...

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