What is Method of Procedure?
A method of Procedure (MOP) is a step-by-step sequence for completing a certain project, business task, or operation. The most high-level purpose of a MOP is to control every step of an operation to ensure the desired outcome, reduce the guesswork, and avoid human error. Though popular in computer programming and in maintenance and support, it can be used in any organization to manage complex processes, for example, break down a construction project, add a server to a corporate network, or manage a data center.
MOP Components
The components of a MOP may vary with the complexity of the process and the criticality of the possible failure. Yet, every MOP and a description of the procedure broken down into different fields and details:
- Basic information, including a title, version control, author, date, identifier, and an approval signature
- Prerequisites, or actions that need to be completed before performing the procedure
- Safety requirements, specifying lockout/tagout procedures, eventual personal protective equipment, or the presence of safety representatives
- Special tools and parts required to perform the operations
- Step-by-step instructions with a detailed description of every step, the required inputs, and the expected results
- A mechanism that allows marking every step as completed, for example, a field for putting the technician’s signature
- A back-out plan
- Optional elements, such as a timestamp to provide a log of events, or diagrams or pictures to clarify specific steps.
Method of Procedure vs. Standard Operating Procedure
Though these documents often are used together, a MOP is different from a SOP. A MOP focuses on the specific details of what an employee needs to do.
A SOP, in its turn, documents a set of guidelines on how to perform a task, rather than a step-by-step procedure; it is less detailed and gives more freedom to the employee. A SOP also describes how to make changes during normal operations.
A MOP can be a standalone document, a part of a SOP, or a part of several SOPs.
MOP Benefits
- A method of procedure allows companies to minimize ambiguous and imprecise estimations.
- By providing streamlined guidance, it improves the focus of the persons responsible for carrying out the task.
- It facilitates the implementation of new features to a product, as well as reviewing and setting priorities to product feature requests coming from stakeholders.
- A MOP improves collaboration between participants, therefore saving time and resources and reducing confusion.
Generally speaking, a method of procedure is a set of methods required to complete a task that provides a clear sequence of actions expected from employees, reducing the complexity of an overall project.
