What is a method of procedure?
A Method of Procedure (MOP) is a comprehensive step-by-step guide for completing a particular project. Businesses use MOPs to guide employees to the end of a project and avoid errors. However, an MOP is not a Standard Operating procedure (SOP). An SOP allows employees more freedom to complete a task their way by providing a general outline of handling it. A Method of Procedure breaks a project into clear-cut steps and leaves less room for flexibility.
What Makes a Good Method Of Procedure
A Method Of Procedure provides a precise step-by-step guide for a project. The purpose of a MOP is to control the end product and reduce any problems or uncertainties that may arise from guesswork or human error. It sets out to provide uniformity and accuracy to minimize mistakes no matter who is handling the project.
Traditionally, a Method of Procedure is a written document, but soft copies are now available online and through cloud-based solutions. No matter what the source is, the Method of Procedure should include all fields and details of the project that capture dates, tracking, and approval stamps for completed steps. Additionally, the ideal procedure should contain a comprehensive list of tools, skills, and safety requirements for the project. Once a Method of Procedure has been established, the process can be continually refined and improved.
For instance, you can give a Method of Procedure to a product management team responsible for a particular project. The guidelines will provide the product managers and their teams with the complete sequence of activities and requirements, and possible outcomes. If something unanticipated happens during the process, the team can record the event and analyze it. After analysis, they will determine the effects of the event on the process and if they can include it in another revised version of the method of procedure.
How To Use a Method of Procedure
A product management team can use a Method of Procedure to design a process for managing new product requests from stakeholders. It also helps implement new concepts and features to a product without making it complex for employees.
By regulating processes, a Method of Procedure creates a consistent protocol for all employees and systems. Furthermore, it prevents the addition of new concepts and initiatives that don’t comply with the existing, proven Methods of Procedure in product management. This is because every project step is given enough data and information to confirm its necessity.
Benefits of a Method of Procedure
Some of the advantages of using a method of procedure are:
● Product managers use a Method of Procedure to eliminate guesswork and avoid taking risks that would lead to costly mistakes.
● It provides a clear step-by-step guide on what happens, how it happens, and why during a project. This simplifies product managers’ work as every team player has to use their skills to complete the project as documented.
● A Method of Procedure leaves no room for doubt on the quality of products. It educates third parties by making it easier to understand the process even without experience in the field.
A Method of Procedure helps employees understand the flow of a project while minimizing errors. This benefits the whole production process by providing clarity and reducing unnecessary costs.
