Operations manual

The operations manual is the documentation by which an organisation provides guidance for members and employees to perform their functions correctly and reasonably efficiently.[1] It documents the approved standard procedures for performing operations safely to produce goods and provide services.[2] Compliance with the operations manual will generally be considered as activity approved by the persons legally responsible for the organisation.[3]

The operations manual is intended to remind employees of how to do their job. The manual is either a book or folder of printed documents containing the standard operating procedures, a description of the organisational hierarchy, contact details for key personnel and emergency procedures. It does not substitute for training, but should be sufficient to allow a trained and competent person to adapt to the organisation's specific procedures.[4]

The operations manual helps the members of the organisation to reliably and efficiently carry out their tasks with consistent results. A good manual will reduce human error and inform everyone precisely what they need to do, who they are responsible to and who they are responsible for. It is a knowledge base for the organisation, and should be available for reference whenever needed. The operations manual is a document that should be periodically reviewed and updated whenever appropriate to ensure that it remains current.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Business coach 2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cambridge was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference SA Diving Regulations 2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Mulholland 2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).