A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is defined as what?

• A. A set of written instructions that documents a routine or repetitive activity engaged in by members of an organization.
• B. A formal plan of organizational goals and resources.
• C. A summary of annual financial performance.
• D. A guide to ethical conduct.

Answer: (A)

An SOP is a written, step-by-step guide for performing a routine or repetitive task in a consistent way. It lays out the exact actions to take, the order to follow, who is responsible, what tools or inputs are needed, the expected outputs, and any safety or quality checks. This level of detail ensures that the same method is used every time, which supports reliable training, quality control, and compliance. The other options describe broader planning (organizational goals and resources), financial reporting, or ethical guidelines, none of which specify how to execute routine tasks, so they don’t define an SOP.