A Fan of Standard Operating Procedures

Earlier this year I read Ray Avery's memoir "Rebel with a Cause".  I thoroughly recommend the book.  His story is both truly inspirational and awe-inspiring.  And, putting on my technical writer's hat, it made me want to sing out to all business owners, manufacturers and service providers alike, "Ray Avery is a fan of standard operating procedures".

Click on this link to go to a comprehensive review of the book: 72904-one-kiwis-determination-to-make-a-difference.  You'll read "an unrelenting search for love and unwavering belief in human nature - against all odds - has been (Ray Avery's) 'standard operating procedure' or, rather his 'SOP'".

In his memoir, Ray amusingly recalls many examples of SOPs (which obviously attract the attention of technical writers like me).  One example I particularly enjoyed was the SOP he used to get through customs without paying bribes.  These references to SOPs made me laugh, but at the same time they validate what we technical writers do.

Underlying the humour is a serious message - if you are serious about quality, you must have well-designed standard operating procedures that produce the quality of goods and services required, and these SOPs must be properly documented.

Well-designed and well-documented SOPs are part of the sucess story of Douglas Pharmaceuticals and the Fred Hollows Foundation laboratories in Eritrea and Nepal.

SOPs are part of Ray Avery's modus operandi, notwithstanding his rebel and entrepreneurial tendencies. Ray Avery is without a doubt, a master of SOP design and by ensuring SOPS are well documented, he further demonstrates his committment to excellent quality and sustained performance.

So, I'd like to conclude by saying:

Read "Rebel with a Cause", and

Thank you Ray Avery, not only for your outstanding contribution to humanity, but also for being a fan of standard operating procedures.