The fastest way to write a great standard operating procedure is to start from one that already works. This page collects practical SOP examples across five industries – restaurant and food service, healthcare, IT, HR, and manufacturing – with a short sample procedure for each, so you can see the format in action and adapt it to your own team.

New to writing procedures? Start with our step-by-step guide to writing an SOP, then grab the free SOP template and use the examples below as a model.

What every good SOP example has in common

No matter the industry, a strong SOP shares the same building blocks: a clear purpose, a defined scope, the steps written as single, action-first instructions, and a quality check that confirms the job was done right. The examples below all follow that structure – only the content changes from one field to the next.

Restaurant and food service SOP examples

Restaurants rely on SOPs to keep food safe, service consistent, and staff trained quickly across shifts. Common examples include:

• Opening and closing checklists
• Food-safety and temperature-log procedures
• Cleaning and sanitation schedules
• Handling a customer complaint or allergy request
• Cash handling and end-of-day reconciliation

Example – Closing the kitchen:

1. Turn off and clean all cooking equipment, recording final temperatures in the log.
2. Store remaining food in labeled, dated containers and refrigerate.
3. Sanitize all prep surfaces and utensils.
4. Sweep and mop floors, then take out trash and recycling.
5. Complete the closing checklist and lock the walk-in.

Quality check: The closing manager signs the checklist confirming every item is complete.

Example – Handling a food allergy request:

1. Confirm the specific allergen with the guest and repeat it back.
2. Notify the kitchen and flag the ticket as an allergy order.
3. Prepare the dish with clean, dedicated tools and surfaces.
4. Have a manager verify the plate before it leaves the kitchen.
5. Deliver the dish separately and confirm it with the guest.

Quality check: A manager confirms the order was prepared allergen-free before it is served.

Healthcare SOP examples

In healthcare, SOPs protect patient safety and support compliance with strict regulations. Because errors carry real consequences, procedures are detailed and reviewed often. Common examples include:

• Patient intake and identity verification
• Medication administration
• Infection-control and hand-hygiene protocols
• Handling and reporting a critical lab result
• Equipment sterilization and maintenance

Example – Medication administration:

1. Verify the patient’s identity using two identifiers.
2. Check the medication, dose, route, and time against the physician’s order.
3. Confirm there are no documented allergies or contraindications.
4. Administer the medication and record the time immediately.
5. Monitor the patient for any adverse reaction.

Quality check: Documentation matches the order, and administration is logged in the patient record.

IT SOP examples

IT teams use SOPs to keep systems secure and resolve issues consistently, whether the person on shift is a senior engineer or a new hire. Common examples include:

• Onboarding and provisioning a new employee’s device and accounts
• Troubleshooting a recurring error or outage
• Applying a security patch or update
• Restoring data from backup
• Responding to a suspected security incident

Example – Onboarding a new device:

1. Image the device with the approved standard build.
2. Create the user’s accounts and assign the correct access groups.
3. Install required software and enable disk encryption.
4. Enroll the device in mobile device management.
5. Verify the user can sign in and reach core systems.

Quality check: The device passes the security checklist before it is handed over.

HR SOP examples

HR SOPs make sensitive, repeatable processes fair and consistent, and they create a paper trail for compliance. Common examples include:

• Onboarding a new hire
• Running a performance review
• Processing a leave or time-off request
• Handling a workplace complaint
• Offboarding a departing employee

Example – New-hire onboarding (first day):

1. Confirm signed paperwork and set up payroll and benefits.
2. Create accounts and request equipment from IT.
3. Schedule orientation and assign an onboarding buddy.
4. Review the role, expectations, and first-week goals.
5. Send a check-in survey at the end of week one.

Quality check: All onboarding tasks are marked complete in the HR system by day five.

Manufacturing SOP examples

On the factory floor, SOPs keep production safe, consistent, and compliant with quality standards. Common examples include:

• Machine setup and startup
• Equipment lockout/tagout for maintenance
• Quality inspection and defect handling
• Changeover between product runs
• Cleaning and preventive maintenance schedules

Example – Machine startup:

1. Confirm the area is clear and guards are in place.
2. Check fluid levels and inspect for visible damage.
3. Power on and run the calibration cycle.
4. Produce and measure a test unit against spec.
5. Log the startup check and begin the run.

Quality check: The test unit meets tolerance before full production starts.

Example – Lockout/tagout before maintenance:

1. Notify affected operators that the machine is being shut down.
2. Power down the equipment using the normal stopping procedure.
3. Isolate all energy sources and apply your personal lock and tag.
4. Verify zero energy by attempting a normal start.
5. Perform the maintenance, then remove locks and restore power in reverse order.

Quality check: Only the person who applied a lock removes it, confirming the machine is clear.

Create your own SOPs faster

Every example above follows the same pattern – so once you have a template, you can produce professional SOPs for any department quickly. Download the free SOP template and drop your steps in, or let Narratus do the writing: record yourself performing the task once, and it transcribes your narration, captures screenshots at the right moments, and generates a formatted Word or PDF SOP in minutes. See how it works.

Frequently asked questions

What is an example of an SOP?

An SOP example is a documented, step-by-step procedure for a specific task – such as closing a kitchen, administering medication, or onboarding a new device – including its purpose, scope, numbered steps, and a quality check. See the examples above for one from each major industry.

How detailed should an industry SOP be?

Match the detail to the risk and the audience. A regulated healthcare or manufacturing procedure needs more precision and review than a routine office task, but every SOP should be detailed enough for the least experienced person to follow without help.

How many SOPs does a business need?

As many as it has repeatable processes that matter. Most teams start with the handful of tasks that are highest-risk or most often performed by new people, then expand coverage over time.

Where can I get an SOP template?

You can download a free SOP template in Word and adapt any of the examples on this page to your own process.