Work Instructions
Detailed instructions for carrying out a specific task.
What it means
Work instructions are the lowest level of documentation: they describe step by step how to perform a task, often including images and checkpoints.
Why it matters
They ensure correct execution but don't explain decision-making. Paired with captured know-how, they become genuinely usable.
A real-world example
A machine setup instruction enriched with an expert's note on what to watch out for with an older equipment variant.
A mandatory, standardized procedure for a recurring activity.
A practical script describing how to handle a specific, recurring situation.
Knowledge that can be written down, shared, and passed on in documented form.
Converting proven experience into unified, mandatory procedures.
The process by which a new employee gains the knowledge and context needed to work independently.