Why video works better than memory
Most SOPs are written from memory. The writer skips the steps that experienced workers do without thinking, such as a quick check before a valve is opened or the order they clamp a part. A recording captures the real sequence, the tools used and the moments where someone stops to adjust something.
Before you film
- Pick one task with one outcome. "Change the filter on Line 2" is a good procedure. "Maintain Line 2" is not.
- Choose the person who does it most often. Film the worker who runs the task every week, not the one who visits once a month.
- Check the hazards first. Confirm what can injure someone during the task, and what PPE and controls apply. Film only when the area is safe to work in.
- Plan three shots: set-up, each step, and the finished result.
While you film
Film the task once from start to finish at normal speed, so the sequence is clear. Then film any step that needs a closer view. As you work, say what you are doing and why. Name each hazard before the step where it applies, such as "isolate the power before opening the guard". Show controls, settings and tool use close up.
Turn the recording into a draft
Use this table to check that the draft covers what the video shows.
| Part of the SOP | What to capture on video | What to check in the draft |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and purpose | The narration at the start | The task, its outcome and when it applies |
| Hazards and PPE | Each hazard named before its step | Matches your hazard assessment |
| Tools and equipment | Each tool shown in use | Nothing used on the floor is missing |
| Steps in order | Each action, in sequence | Order matches the real task, not the ideal one |
| Checks and stop conditions | Checks the worker performs | Clear accept or reject criteria, and when to stop |
Review the draft against the real task
Do not approve a draft from the video alone. A supervisor should walk the task with the worker who does it, and check each step against what happens on the floor. Confirm the hazards and PPE match your hazard assessment. Add the stop conditions, and have a worker who does the task read the final version for anything unclear.
Approve, publish and keep it current
Record the approver, date and version number. Publish the approved version by web link or as a QR code at the work area. Assign it to the roles that need it and collect acknowledgements. Set a review date, and update the procedure when the equipment, layout or process changes.
Film your first procedure
Record one task on your phone and see the draft SOP365 creates. You approve it before anyone works from it. Free to start.
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