A procedure is a series of steps taken to complete a task. Procedures help you complete a task correctly and consistently. That’s simple enough, but what about some real-life, practical examples of procedures? Check out our suggestions below – including some mini-procedures for most of the examples:
1. Brushing your teeth
When you brush your teeth you follow a series of predetermined steps in order to ensure that your teeth remain clean and health:
- Get out your toothbrush.
- Put on some toothpaste.
- Brush all of your teeth.
- Once your teeth are all brushed, rinse toothbrush and mouth.
- Put the toothbrush back.
The steps must be completed in the correct order for you to finish the task with success. Therefore, this is a good examples of a procedure.
2. Putting clothes on
When you dress yourself, you usually follow a specific sequence for adding pieces of clothes to your body.
This sequence of steps (i.e. first you put underwear on, then a shirt) is your personal procedure on how to put clothes on.
3. Mowing the lawn
Some of us have a lawn to maintain. That can be a lot of work, but it’s not too bad if you follow this general procedure:
- Take out the lawnmower on the lawn.
- If the lawnmower is engine powered: Start the lawnmower.
- Mow the lawn in a predetermined (or preferred) pattern.
- Once all the grass has been cut, turn off the lawnmower.
- Return the lawnmower to storage.
4. Driving to work
You have been taught how to drive. Training is an important prerequisite when designing a procedure. If the people performing the procedure are well-training, then generally the procedure can be less detailed or more flexible.
When you drive a car, you generally do not read a written procedure before every trip. But you may sometimes refer to your car owner’s manual for instructions (procedures) on how to change a light in a headlamp.
Let’s get to work:
- Find car keys.
- Perform pre-driving checks (as required by your national regulations).
- Unlock car and sit on drivers seat.
- Fasten seat belt.
- Determine route to work.
- Start car.
- Check warning lights (extinguished?)
- Check your surroundings: Do you have a clear path for driving?
- Start driving.
- (The rest of the procedure will depend on your route to work etc.)
5. Making dinner
Another excellent example of following a procedure is when you use a recipe for cooking dinner.
A recipe is a list of simple instructions in a specific order which will, if performed correctly, provide you with a tasty dish once complete.
Do you need a written procedure?
Only some of tasks mentioned above have written procedures. That’s because not all tasks need written procedures. But how do you know if your task needs a written procedure?
Check out The Procedure Quiz to find out in three easy steps if your task needs a written procedure.
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