Work Instruction

Work Instructions are documents that clearly and precisely describe the correct way to perform certain tasks that may cause inconvenience or damage if not done in the established manner. These instructions are helpful in providing detailed specification tasks which are referenced in the procedure. They aid in trainings management and reduce mistakes because of step wise instruction process required to accomplish something missed from recorded procedures. This is where work instruction management is required.

A work instruction will often repeat many of the elements of a procedure to help describe where it fits into the process like

  • Purpose
  • Definitions
  • Responsibility
  • Requirements
  • Tools and information

But in depth, a work instruction consists of step wise detail, that is sometimes not in advantage to put in procedures because it requires a limited scope. There is no mandate from regulatory bodies to create work instructions. However, the experience of QMS documentation has shown that syncing these in the documentation hierarchy can have greater effects for your QMS.

Work Instructions Inclusions

All good work instructions should include:
  • The goal or expected results of the process or procedure
  • The person or persons responsible for completing the task
  • The materials, equipment, and skill set needed
  • Detailed, visual, or multi-media reference material that helps workers understand exactly what to do
  • Safety and compliance concerns that are outlined and clearly visible

Benefits of Online Work Instruction Management

Recording instructions digitally comes with its set of benefits:
  • Easily accessible and centralised
  • Easily revised and updated
  • Include detailed visuals, video, and 3D models
  • Allow for easy translation into multiple languages
  • Integrate easily into already established systems
  • Help quickly train and upskill workers
  • Capture valuable tribal knowledge
  • Allow communication between teams, departments, or facilities
  • Assign tasks and track progress
  • Capture real-time performance data
  • Create checklists for any activity
  • Aids in compliance and regulatory standards
  • Can be used on multiple platforms, including computers and mobile devices