Detailed documents that explain each step in a work process are called what?

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are detailed documents that outline the specific steps required to perform a task or process within an organization. They are essential for ensuring consistency and quality in the performance of work tasks, as they provide clear instructions that all employees can follow. SOPs help streamline operations, reduce errors, and maintain safety and compliance, particularly in industries where protocols are critical.

While production guidelines may provide overall direction for production processes, they lack the comprehensive step-by-step detail that SOPs include. Policies and procedures encompass a broader range of organizational rules and standards, which may not be specific to operational tasks. Operational manuals often contain a variety of information, including SOPs, but they tend to serve as a more generalized reference rather than focusing solely on detailed task instructions. Hence, the specificity and clarity that SOPs offer is what makes them the correct answer for this question.