Teacher Guidance
Standard Procedures (Task B and C)
What is a standard procedure?
A standard procedure is a series of step-by-step instructions that explain how to do an activity.
How should they be written?
SOPs should be written in a concise, step-by-step, easy-to-read format.
The information presented should be unambiguous and not overly complicated.
The active voice and present verb tense should be used. The term "you" should not be used, but
implied.
The document should not be wordy or overly lengthy. Keep it simple and short.
What do we expect to see?
A series of steps which should be numbered and written in an appropriate order. Candidates
should use appropriate technical language.
The standard procedure should be written as instructions without the word ‘you’. If the phrase ‘you
will’ or ‘I will’ is consistently used this should mean that they will not normally score beyond level 1
for the communicating aspect of ‘devising methods’.
Some sensible reference to how the step is done safely should be included where relevant (e.g.
fill the burette at eye level, wear gloves to …).
Please note that a risk assessment is not required in either task B or C.
Please see secure website/CPD materials for exemplars.
The following can be adapted for use with your learners.
Writing Standard Procedures (Standard Operating Procedures)
If we want to follow a method to successful results then the method needs to be clearly written so that the worker knows exactly what to do. A
recipe is a list of instructions that should tell us how to cook successfully. Look at the three recipes below and put them in order of easiest to
follow. Put 1 for easiest and 3 for hardest to follow. Now go through each recipe and say what is good or bad about the way it is written.
Method 1
Method 2
Method 3
Firstly, you will heat the oven to 160C/gas 4. Next
you will grease a 20cm cake tin and then line the
bottom with a circle of greaseproof paper.
1. Heat oven to 160C/gas 4. Grease a
20cm cake tin and line the bottom with a
circle of greaseproof paper.
1. I will heat up an oven. Then I will need
to grease a cake tin and line the
bottom with greaseproof paper.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together, and
then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing
well after each addition. Fold through the
flour, milk and vanilla extract until the
mixture is smooth.
2. Next I will beat the butter and sugar
together. Then I will add the eggs.
Next I will fold through the flour, milk
and vanilla extract until the mixture is
smooth.
3. Divide the mixture between 2 bowls. Stir
the cocoa powder into the mixture in one
of the bowls. Take 2 spoons and use
them to dollop the chocolate and vanilla
cake mixes into the tin alternately.
3. Next I will divide the mixture between
2 bowls and stir the cocoa powder into
the mixture in one of the bowls. I will
dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake
mixes into the tin alternately.
4. Bake the cake for 45-55 mins until a
skewer inserted into the centre comes
out clean. Turn out onto a cooling rack
and leave to cool.
4. I will bake the cake until a skewer
inserted into the centre comes out
clean. Then I will turn it out onto a
cooling rack and leave to cool.
Secondly you will need to beat the butter and sugar
together, and then add the eggs, one at a time,
mixing well after each addition. After that you will
fold through the flour, milk and vanilla extract until
the mixture is smooth.
Thirdly you need to divide the mixture between 2
bowls and stir the cocoa powder into the mixture in
one of the bowls. After this take 2 spoons and use
them to dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake mixes
into the tin alternately.
Fourthly, You will need to bake the cake for 45-55
mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes
out clean. Finally you will need to turn out onto a
cooling rack and leave to cool.
Order position ……..
Order position ……..
Order position ……..
Standard Procedures (Standard Operating Procedures)
What is a standard (operating) procedure?
A standard (operating) procedure is a series of step-by-step
instructions that explain how to do an activity.
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A recipe is a good example of a standard procedure.
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Notice that the recipe –method 2- on the previous page
did not contain the word ‘I’ or ‘you’.
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What was written was a simple list of instructions to follow.
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A good recipe tells you exactly what to do. e.g. It
does not just tell you to switch an oven on but to
what temperature it should be set.
STANDARD
OPERATING
PROCEDURE
The better procedure
Look at the two similar procedures below which have been written to test the strength of different
threads. One standard procedure is better than the other.
Use a highlight pen to show the differences between the methods.
Now explain which method you would find easiest to follow.
Method A
Method B
1. Set the apparatus up as shown in the
diagram.
1. Set the apparatus up as shown in the
diagram.
Safety: Make sure that the apparatus is not
set up near the edge of the table.
Safety: Make sure that the apparatus is not
set up near the edge of the table.
2. Attach one end of a thread to a clamp and
the other to a mass hanger as shown in the
diagram above.
2. Attach one end of a 20 cm length of thread
to a clamp and the other to a mass hanger as
shown in the diagram above.
3. Clamp a ruler, as shown in the diagram, so
that it is possible to measure the bottom of
the mass hanger.
3. Clamp a ruler, as shown in the diagram, so
that it is possible to measure the bottom of the
mass hanger.
4. Measure the length of the thread without
any mass attached. Note this in a table.
4. Measure the length of the thread without
any mass attached. Note this in a table.
5. Add a mass to the hanger and record the
reading of the thread from the ruler into the
table. Calculate the extension of the thread by
subtracting the original length from the new
one.
5. Add a 100g mass to the hanger and record
the reading of the thread from the ruler into
the table. Calculate the extension of the
thread by subtracting the original length from
the new one.
6. Continue to add masses to the hanger
recording the new length and extension of the
thread each time. This should be repeated
until some readings are taken.
6. Continue to add 100 g masses to the
hanger recording the new length and
extension of the thread each time. This should
be repeated until 8-10 readings are taken.
If the thread breaks after adding a few more
masses, then steps 1-6 should be repeated
using lighter masses instead.
If the thread breaks after adding a few 100 g
masses, then steps 1-6 should be repeated
using 50 g masses instead.
Putting a standard procedure in the right style
Making a cup of coffee
Look at the following method to make a cup of coffee.
First you will take a mug from the cupboard and then next put in one
teaspoon of coffee. After you have done this you will need to add boiling
water from the kettle until the water level is about 1 cm from the top. Lastly
add some milk.
First turn this method into a list of numbered steps. Don’t worry about the use of the word ‘you’. You do
not need to change the English at this stage. Just put the method into a series of numbered steps.
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Now try to write a standard procedure by rewriting the instructions without using the word ‘you’.
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Writing a standard (operating) procedure
Before you write a standard operating procedure, can you remember what a standard operating
procedure is?
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Some rules for writing a standard (operating) procedure
Standard procedures should be:
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written as a series of steps;
easy-to-read;
to the point.
The information presented should be clear and not overly complicated.
The active voice and present verb tense should be used. The term "you" should not be used, but
implied.
Some sensible reference to how the step is done safely should be included, where relevant.
Lighting a Bunsen burner
Now that you have the idea for writing a standard procedure, try to write a standard procedure for
lighting a Bunsen burner.
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