Definition: A procedure is an established method of accomplishing a task, usually with steps that are performed in a prescribed order.
What Does Procedure Mean?
What is the definition of procedure? These systems are basically sequential actions that are designed to complete a task. In the business world, all company operations can be broken down into categories called processes. These processes are the building blocks for company procedures.
Procedures don’t typically change and are performed in the same order to provide standardized and consistent end results. Guides, trainings, and tutorials are typical methods of communicating processes to the employees of an organization, so they can implement the procedures to achieve the company’s goals.
Let’s look at an example.
Example
In a business setting procedures should be very clear and leave little grey-area to staff interpretation. The characteristics of a clear procedure would be fact-driven, concise, concrete, instructional, and relevant. Officials and executives often provide procedures for actions that require documentation or have negative effects if certain actions aren’t performed correctly.
Jennifer is given a new employee guide that gives her thorough steps on how to register a customer and input their information. There are key processes she must do in a specific order. Certain paper work must be submitted within strict time periods. Not submitting the documents on time may cause a loss of profit for the business and a loss of service to the customer.
The instructional guide showing her the way to properly complete the process is a procedure; it gives her definite times to perform the duties and doesn’t leave much room for interpretations. It can’t be too specific because some situations will require judgement. All procedures should be conducive to the business objective and should be approved by officials before being deemed as “standard”.
Many issues and complications with customer service and business processes occur in the misuse or misinterpretation of procedures and areas left to assumption. This is may also be a source of confusion to end-user and customers.
Summary Definition
Define Procedures: Procedure means a group of tasks typically done in a standard order to achieve a task.
