STOP the SOP

SOP s – Standard operating procedures. There is none that I hate more in this world, than this term. It has overtaken reality television, Valentines Day and washing clothes as the thing that I hate the most.

The first time I came across the term SOPs was maybe when I was in school. That SOP was something else, it stood for statement of purpose – that darned write up that one sends along with other stuff while applying to a university abroad. A friend of mine was showing me his sister’s statement of purpose, I just gave it a passing glance. Years later when I gave my GRE and time came for me to apply for universities; this SOP reared its head again. People said that SOP s would make or break your application and it is the most vital thing that you send to the university. There even were career counselors who would help you to prepare a SOP. Things so happened that I did not apply for any university but I started developing a hate for this term SOP.

But the SOP that I have mentioned in the initial paragraph refers to standard operating procedures. This is an absolutely good for nothing piece of document, that nobody likes, but everybody swears by. I think it was while doing my MBA that I was introduced to this definition of SOP. We were taught that having standard operating procedures was a good business practice and the one of the characteristics by which you could define a good firm.

The very first day of my job I was given an 8 page SOP to read and familiarize with. I faithfully read the whole thing only to realize that the SOP has not been updated to include some major changes that had taken place. All my efforts in comprehending them went waste. Fortunately my co workers never paid much attention to this document. Every job was treated on its merit and done with common sense, which I thought was very good. But I also learnt that higher up the hierarchy everybody was swearing by SOPs, anything and everything needed a SOP
SOP for taking holidays,
SOP for telephone calls,
SOP for e mails,
SOP for talking to customers
SOP for the way you arrange your desk, your file and what not.

Even when a new system was being tried out, everybody wanted a SOP made for its working, even before the system was perfected. The system should grow on its own, with the various users trying out new methods for improving it and ultimately one will get the best way of working. But if the system is in its nascent stage and the users hands are tied down with the knot called SOPs then the system will not evolve and be a failure. And also it takes so much time to draw up a SOP, that by the time you finish it, the procedures mentioned become obsolete. So what do you do?? Draw up a fresh SOP, what else!! I think some people are perpetually making SOPs.

Though the intention of having a SOP is good (it is always good to have a ready guide to look upto when in doubt) I don’t think that it must be used an end word, as something that decides the way you do your job. A rigid adherence to SOP means no scope for innovation, no cross learning from other departments, no risks and as the saying goes no rewards. SOPs can provide the much needed excuse for u to pass the buck to someone else and also to cover your ass. You can always say that it is not part of the SOP and so do not expect me to do the job. So convenient isn’t it?

The day is not far off when someone would draw up a SOP for making a SOP. Or is it already there??