Standard operating procedures (SOP) software record and disseminate standard processes that have been broken down into digestible lists. Standard operating procedures solutions allow businesses to catalog high-level, routine activities like onboarding and turn them into checklists. SOP tools offer businesses a dedicated solution to track standard processes, ensuring compliance and thorough understanding from employees.
There is some overlap between SOP software and business process management software in that both record routine procedures. However, BPM software is also designed to help with the automation of certain business processes, which is not always found in standard operating procedures solutions. Standard operating procedures solutions can also be mistaken for work instructions software and they do display tasks in a similar fashion. However, the two differ in that work instructions solutions break down granular tasks, while SOPs handle overarching processes. Some standard operating procedures software will also handle work instructions or will integrate with work instructions solutions so employees can iterate through processes with guidance at every level.
To qualify for inclusion in the Standard Operating Procedures category, a product must:
- Create checklists for high-level, repeatable processes and procedures
- Assign tasks based on checklist contents
- Track process-related activity and task progress
- Provide storage for content created within the platform and for other copies of policies and procedures
- Create and distribute forms natively or integrate with an outside online form builder software
